Systems and methods for aggregating skills provided by a plurality of digital assistants

ABSTRACT

Embodiments described include systems and methods for aggregating a plurality of skills provided by a plurality of digital assistants. A server can generate a skill agent having a plurality of skills corresponding to skills performed by a plurality of digital assistants. A request can be received for content for a user of the device and the server can identify one or more skills to generate the content included within the request. A first digital assistant can be selected using the skill agent to handle the request based on the identified one or more skills to generate the content. The server can request the first digital assistant to perform the identified one or more skills and provide a response to the request that includes content generated responsive to the first digital assistant performing the identified one or more skills.

BACKGROUND

As the workforce of an enterprise becomes more mobile and work undervarious conditions, an individual can use one or more client devices,including personal devices, to access network resources such as webapplications. Due to differences between the client devices and themanner in which network resources can be accessed, there are significantchallenges to the enterprise in managing access to network resources andmonitoring for potential misuse of resources.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods described herein provide for aggregating skillsprovided and/or performed by a plurality of digital assistants for aplurality of users through a single interface generated by a server. Inembodiments, a server can determine different skills and/or functionsperformed by digital assistants executing on the server and third partydigital assistants hosted by or provided third party servers. The servercan aggregate the various skills and/or functions into a skill agentsuch that the server can use the skill agent to perform various tasksfor one or more users of the server or network environment. For example,the server can integrate skills and/or functions performed by localdigital assistants (e.g., executing on or provided by the server) withone or more skills and/or functions performed by third party digitalassistants to handle and respond to various requests from users usingthe skills and/or functions of local digital assistants and/or thirdparty digital assistants. The server can generate the skill agent toprovide a single interface for the users to retrieve content frommultiple local and/or third party digital assistants and provide acentralized system for the respective user.

In at least one aspect, this disclosure is directed to a method foraggregating a plurality of skills provided by a plurality of digitalassistants. The method can include generating, by a server, a skillagent comprising a plurality of skills corresponding to skills performedby a plurality of digital assistants, the skill agent including at leastone skill from a digital assistant provided by the server and one ormore skills provided by one or more third party digital assistantsprovided by a plurality of remote servers. The method can includereceiving, by the server, from a device, a request for content for auser of the device and identifying, by the server, one or more skills togenerate the content included within the request. The method can includeselecting, by the server using the skill agent, a first digitalassistant of the plurality of digital assistants to handle the requestbased on the identified one or more skills to generate the content, theserver requesting the first digital assistant to perform the identifiedone or more skills. The method can include providing, by the server, aresponse to the request to the user of the device. The response caninclude the content generated responsive to the first digital assistantperforming the identified one or more skills.

In some embodiments, the method can include tracking the contentgenerated by the first digital assistant and updating the skill agent toindicate the first digital assistant of the plurality of assistants thatgenerated the content. The method can include generating a weightedscore for the digital assistant provided by the server and the one ormore third party digital assistants provided by the plurality of remoteservers responsive to the digital assistant provided by the server orthe one or more third party digital assistants provided by the pluralityof remote servers generating content. The method can include dynamicallyupdating the skill agent with one or more weighted scores responsive tothe execution of each request of a plurality of requests executed by thedigital assistant provided by the server or the one or more third partydigital assistants provided by the plurality of remote servers. Themethod can include selecting, by the server and using the skill agent,the at least one of the digital assistant provided by the server and theone or more third party digital assistants provided by the plurality ofremote servers to handle subsequent requests based on the one or moreweighted scores.

In embodiments, the method can include establishing, by the server, aconnection to at least one remote server of the plurality of remoteservers and proxying, by the server, the request to at least one thirdparty digital assistant of the at least one remote server of theplurality of remote servers to perform the identified one or more skillsincluded within the request. The method can include determining, by theserver, a type of content generated by the digital assistant provided bythe server and the one or more third party digital assistants providedby a plurality of remote servers. The method can include grouping, bythe server and in the skill agent, the digital assistant provided by theserver and the one or more third party digital assistants provided by aplurality of remote servers into content groups based on the determinedtype of content.

In some embodiments, the method can include determining, by the server,the skills performed by the one or more third party digital assistantsprovided by a plurality of remote servers and aggregating, by the serverand using the skill agent, the skills performed by the one or more thirdparty digital assistants provided by a plurality of remote servers forat least one desktop session hosted by the device through the clientapplication. The method can include identifying, by the server, a userprofile corresponding to the user of the device and determining, by theserver, the one or more third party digital assistants provided by theplurality of remote servers based on user profile and the one or morethird party digital assistants provided by the plurality of remoteservers that the user previously interacted with through the device. Themethod can include generating, by the server, a content profile for eachdigital assistant of the plurality of digital assistants, the contentprofile including properties of the content generated by the digitalassistant provided by the server and the one or more third party digitalassistants provided by a plurality of remote servers.

In at least one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a systemfor generating aggregating a plurality of skills provided by a pluralityof assistants. The system can include a server comprising one or moreprocessors coupled to a memory. The server can be configured to generatea skill agent comprising a plurality of skills corresponding to skillsperformed by a plurality of digital assistants. The skill agent caninclude at least one skill from a digital assistant provided by theserver and one or more skills provided by one or more third partydigital assistants provided by a plurality of remote servers. The servercan be configured to receive from a device, a request for content for auser of the device and identify one or more skills to generate thecontent included within the request. The server can be configured toselect, using the skill agent, a first digital assistant of theplurality of digital assistants to handle the request based on theidentified one or more skills to generate the content. The server canrequest the first digital assistant to perform the identified one ormore skills. The server can be configured to provide a response to therequest to the user of the device. The response can include the contentgenerated responsive to the first digital assistant performing theidentified one or more skills.

In some embodiments, the server can be configured to track the contentgenerated by the first digital assistant and update the skill agent toindicate the first digital assistant of the plurality of assistants thatgenerated the content. The server can be configured to generate aweighted score for the digital assistant provided by the server and theone or more third party digital assistants provided by the plurality ofremote servers responsive to the digital assistant provided by theserver or the one or more third party digital assistants provided by theplurality of remote servers generating content. The server can beconfigured to dynamically update the skill agent with one or moreweighted scores responsive to the execution of each request of aplurality of requests executed by the digital assistant provided by theserver or the one or more third party digital assistants provided by theplurality of remote servers.

In embodiments, the server can be configured to select, using the skillagent, the at least one of the digital assistant provided by the serverand the one or more third party digital assistants provided by theplurality of remote servers to handle subsequent requests based on theone or more weighted scores. The server can be configured to establish aconnection to at least one remote server of the plurality of remoteservers and proxy the request to at least one third party digitalassistant of the at least one remote server of the plurality of remoteservers to perform the identified one or more skills included within therequest. The server can be configured to determine a type of contentgenerated by the digital assistant provided by the server and the one ormore third party digital assistants provided by a plurality of remoteservers.

In some embodiments, the server can be configured to group, in the skillagent, the digital assistant provided by the server and the one or morethird party digital assistants provided by a plurality of remote serversinto content groups based on the determined type of content. The servercan be configured to determine the skills performed by the one or morethird party digital assistants provided by a plurality of remote serversand aggregate, using the skill agent, the skills performed by the one ormore third party digital assistants provided by a plurality of remoteservers for at least one desktop session hosted by the device throughthe client application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The foregoing and other objects, aspects, features, and advantages ofthe present solution will become more apparent and better understood byreferring to the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of embodiments of a computing device;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of cloudservices for use in accessing resources;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of an enterprisemobility management system;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system 400 of an embedded browser;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a system for usinga secure browser;

FIG. 6 is an example representation of an implementation for browserredirection using a secure browser plug-in;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of example embodiment of a system of using asecure browser;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a system for usinglocal embedded browser(s) and hosted secured browser(s);

FIG. 9 is an example process flow for using local embedded browser(s)and hosted secured browser(s);

FIG. 10 is an example embodiment of a system for managing user access towebpages;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a system for aggregating skills providedby a plurality of digital assistants; and

FIGS. 12A-12C are a flow diagram of a method for aggregating skillsprovided by a plurality of digital assistants.

The features and advantages of the present solution will become moreapparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken inconjunction with the drawings, in which like reference charactersidentify corresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, likereference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar,and/or structurally similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of reading the description of the various embodimentsbelow, the following descriptions of the sections of the specificationand their respective contents may be helpful:

Section A describes a computing environment which may be useful forpracticing embodiments described herein.

Section B describes systems and methods for an embedded browser.

Section C describes systems and methods for aggregating skills providedby a plurality of digital assistants.

A. Computing Environment

Prior to discussing the specifics of embodiments of the systems andmethods detailed herein in Section B, it may be helpful to discuss thecomputing environments in which such embodiments may be deployed.

As shown in FIG. 1, computer 101 may include one or more processors 103,volatile memory 122 (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), non-volatilememory 128 (e.g., one or more hard disk drives (HDDs) or other magneticor optical storage media, one or more solid state drives (SSDs) such asa flash drive or other solid state storage media, one or more hybridmagnetic and solid state drives, and/or one or more virtual storagevolumes, such as a cloud storage, or a combination of such physicalstorage volumes and virtual storage volumes or arrays thereof), userinterface (UI) 123, one or more communications interfaces 118, andcommunication bus 150. User interface 123 may include graphical userinterface (GUI) 124 (e.g., a touchscreen, a display, etc.) and one ormore input/output (I/O) devices 126 (e.g., a mouse, a keyboard, amicrophone, one or more speakers, one or more cameras, one or morebiometric scanners, one or more environmental sensors, one or moreaccelerometers, etc.). Non-volatile memory 128 stores operating system115, one or more applications 116, and data 117 such that, for example,computer instructions of operating system 115 and/or applications 116are executed by processor(s) 103 out of volatile memory 122. In someembodiments, volatile memory 122 may include one or more types of RAMand/or a cache memory that may offer a faster response time than a mainmemory. Data may be entered using an input device of GUI 124 or receivedfrom I/O device(s) 126. Various elements of computer 101 may communicatevia one or more communication buses, shown as communication bus 150.

Computer 101 as shown in FIG. 1 is shown merely as an example, asclients, servers, intermediary and other networking devices and may beimplemented by any computing or processing environment and with any typeof machine or set of machines that may have suitable hardware and/orsoftware capable of operating as described herein. Processor(s) 103 maybe implemented by one or more programmable processors to execute one ormore executable instructions, such as a computer program, to perform thefunctions of the system. As used herein, the term “processor” describescircuitry that performs a function, an operation, or a sequence ofoperations. The function, operation, or sequence of operations may behard coded into the circuitry or soft coded by way of instructions heldin a memory device and executed by the circuitry. A “processor” mayperform the function, operation, or sequence of operations using digitalvalues and/or using analog signals. In some embodiments, the “processor”can be embodied in one or more application specific integrated circuits(ASICs), microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), graphicsprocessing units (GPUs), microcontrollers, field programmable gatearrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), multi-core processors,or general-purpose computers with associated memory. The “processor” maybe analog, digital or mixed-signal. In some embodiments, the “processor”may be one or more physical processors or one or more “virtual” (e.g.,remotely located or “cloud”) processors. A processor including multipleprocessor cores and/or multiple processors multiple processors mayprovide functionality for parallel, simultaneous execution ofinstructions or for parallel, simultaneous execution of one instructionon more than one piece of data.

Communications interfaces 118 may include one or more interfaces toenable computer 101 to access a computer network such as a Local AreaNetwork (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Personal Area Network (PAN),or the Internet through a variety of wired and/or wireless or cellularconnections.

In described embodiments, the computing device 101 may execute anapplication on behalf of a user of a client computing device. Forexample, the computing device 101 may execute a virtual machine, whichprovides an execution session within which applications execute onbehalf of a user or a client computing device, such as a hosted desktopsession. The computing device 101 may also execute a terminal servicessession to provide a hosted desktop environment. The computing device101 may provide access to a computing environment including one or moreof: one or more applications, one or more desktop applications, and oneor more desktop sessions in which one or more applications may execute.

B. Systems and Methods for an Embedded Browser

The present disclosure is directed towards systems and methods of anembedded browser. A client application executing on a client device canallow a user to access applications (apps) that are served from and/orhosted on one or more servers, such as web applications andsoftware-as-a-service (SaaS) applications (hereafter sometimes generallyreferred to as network applications). A browser that is embedded orintegrated with the client application can render to the user a networkapplication that is accessed or requested via the client application,and can enable interactivity between the user and the networkapplication. The browser is sometimes referred to as an embeddedbrowser, and the client application with embedded browser (CEB) issometimes referred to as a workspace application. The client applicationcan establish a secure connection to the one or more servers to providean application session for the user to access the network applicationusing the client device and the embedded browser. The embedded browsercan be integrated with the client application to ensure that trafficrelated to the network application is routed through and/or processed inthe client application, which can provide the client application withreal-time visibility to the traffic (e.g., when decrypted through theclient application), and user interactions and behavior. The embeddedbrowser can provide a seamless experience to a user as the networkapplication is requested via the user interface (shared by the clientapplication and the embedded browser) and rendered through the embeddedbrowser within the same user interface.

The client application can terminate one end of a secured connectionestablished with a server of a network application, such as a securesockets layer (SSL) virtual private network (VPN) connection. The clientapplication can receive encrypted traffic from the network application,and can decrypt the traffic before further processing (e.g., renderingby the embedded browser). The client application can monitor thereceived traffic (e.g., in encrypted packet form), and also have fullvisibility into the decrypted data stream and/or the SSL stack. Thisvisibility can allow the client application to perform or facilitatepolicy-based management (e.g., including data loss prevention (DLP)capabilities), application control (e.g., to improve performance,service level), and collection and production of analytics. Forinstance, the local CEB can provide an information technology (IT)administrator with a controlled system for deploying web and SaaSapplications through the CEB, and allow the IT administrator to setpolicies or configurations via the CEB for performing any of theforgoing activities.

Many web and SaaS delivered applications connect from web servers togeneric browsers (e.g., Internet Explorer, Firefox, and so on) of users.Once authenticated, the entire session of such a network application isencrypted. However, in this scenario, an administrator may not havevisibility, analytics, or control of the content entering the networkapplication from the user's digital workspace, or the content leavingthe network application and entering the user's digital workspace.Moreover, content of a network application viewed in a generic browsercan be copied or downloaded (e.g., by a user or program) to potentiallyany arbitrary application or device, resulting in a possible breach indata security.

This present systems and methods can ensure that traffic associated witha network application is channeled through a CEB. By way ofillustration, when a user accesses a SaaS web service with securityassertion markup language (SAML) enabled for instance, the correspondingaccess request can be forwarded to a designated gateway service thatdetermines, checks or verifies if the CEB was used to make the accessrequest. Responsive to determining that a CEB was used to make theaccess request, the gateway service can perform or provideauthentication and single-sign-on (SSO), and can allow the CEB toconnect directly to the SaaS web service. Encryption (e.g., standardencryption) can be used for the application session between the CEB andthe SaaS web service. When the content from the web service isunencrypted in the CEB to the viewed via the embedded browser, and/orwhen input is entered via the CEB, the CEB can provide added services onselective application-related information for control and analytics forinstance. For example, an analytics agent or application programminginterface (API) can be embedded in the CEB to provide or perform theadded services.

The CEB (sometimes referred to as workspace application or receiver) caninteroperate with one or more gateway services, intermediaries and/ornetwork servers (sometimes collectively referred to as cloud services orCitrix Cloud) to provide access to a network application. Features andelements of an environment related to the operation of an embodiment ofcloud services are described below.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of cloud services for use in accessingresources including network applications. The cloud services can includean enterprise mobility technical architecture 200, which can include anaccess gateway 260 in one illustrative embodiment. The architecture canbe used in a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) environment for instance. Thearchitecture can enable a user of a client device 202 (e.g., a mobile orother device) to both access enterprise or personal resources from aclient device 202, and use the client device 202 for personal use. Theuser may access such enterprise resources 204 or enterprise services 208via a client application executing on the client device 202. The usermay access such enterprise resources 204 or enterprise services 208using a client device 202 that is purchased by the user or a clientdevice 202 that is provided by the enterprise to user. The user mayutilize the client device 202 for business use only or for business andpersonal use. The client device may run an iOS operating system, andAndroid operating system, or the like. The enterprise may choose toimplement policies to manage the client device 202. The policies may beimplanted through a firewall or gateway in such a way that the clientdevice may be identified, secured or security verified, and providedselective or full access to the enterprise resources. The policies maybe client device management policies, mobile application managementpolicies, mobile data management policies, or some combination of clientdevice, application, and data management policies. A client device 202that is managed through the application of client device managementpolicies may be referred to as an enrolled device. The client devicemanagement policies can be applied via the client application forinstance.

In some embodiments, the operating system of the client device may beseparated into a managed partition 210 and an unmanaged partition 212.The managed partition 210 may have policies applied to it to secure theapplications running on and data stored in the managed partition. Theapplications running on the managed partition may be secureapplications. In other embodiments, all applications may execute inaccordance with a set of one or more policy files received separate fromthe application, and which define one or more security parameters,features, resource restrictions, and/or other access controls that areenforced by the client device management system when that application isexecuting on the device. By operating in accordance with theirrespective policy file(s), each application may be allowed or restrictedfrom communications with one or more other applications and/orresources, thereby creating a virtual partition. Thus, as used herein, apartition may refer to a physically partitioned portion of memory(physical partition), a logically partitioned portion of memory (logicalpartition), and/or a virtual partition created as a result ofenforcement of one or more policies and/or policy files across multipleapps as described herein (virtual partition). Stated differently, byenforcing policies on managed apps, those apps may be restricted to onlybe able to communicate with other managed apps and trusted enterpriseresources, thereby creating a virtual partition that is not accessibleby unmanaged apps and devices.

The secure applications may be email applications, web browsingapplications, software-as-a-service (SaaS) access applications, WindowsApplication access applications, and the like. The client applicationcan include a secure application launcher 218. The secure applicationsmay be secure native applications 214, secure remote applications 222executed by the secure application launcher 218, virtualizationapplications 226 executed by the secure application launcher 218, andthe like. The secure native applications 214 may be wrapped by a secureapplication wrapper 220. The secure application wrapper 220 may includeintegrated policies that are executed on the client device 202 when thesecure native application is executed on the device. The secureapplication wrapper 220 may include meta-data that points the securenative application 214 running on the client device 202 to the resourceshosted at the enterprise that the secure native application 214 mayrequire to complete the task requested upon execution of the securenative application 214. The secure remote applications 222 executed by asecure application launcher 218 may be executed within the secureapplication launcher application 218. The virtualization applications226 executed by a secure application launcher 218 may utilize resourceson the client device 202, at the enterprise resources 204, and the like.The resources used on the client device 202 by the virtualizationapplications 226 executed by a secure application launcher 218 mayinclude user interaction resources, processing resources, and the like.The user interaction resources may be used to collect and transmitkeyboard input, mouse input, camera input, tactile input, audio input,visual input, gesture input, and the like. The processing resources maybe used to present a user interface, process data received from theenterprise resources 204, and the like. The resources used at theenterprise resources 204 by the virtualization applications 226 executedby a secure application launcher 218 may include user interfacegeneration resources, processing resources, and the like. The userinterface generation resources may be used to assemble a user interface,modify a user interface, refresh a user interface, and the like. Theprocessing resources may be used to create information, readinformation, update information, delete information, and the like. Forexample, the virtualization application may record user interactionsassociated with a graphical user interface (GUI) and communicate them toa server application where the server application may use the userinteraction data as an input to the application operating on the server.In this arrangement, an enterprise may elect to maintain the applicationon the server side as well as data, files, etc., associated with theapplication. While an enterprise may elect to “mobilize” someapplications in accordance with the principles herein by securing themfor deployment on the client device (e.g., via the client application),this arrangement may also be elected for certain applications. Forexample, while some applications may be secured for use on the clientdevice, others might not be prepared or appropriate for deployment onthe client device so the enterprise may elect to provide the mobile useraccess to the unprepared applications through virtualization techniques.As another example, the enterprise may have large complex applicationswith large and complex data sets (e.g., material resource planningapplications) where it would be very difficult, or otherwiseundesirable, to customize the application for the client device so theenterprise may elect to provide access to the application throughvirtualization techniques. As yet another example, the enterprise mayhave an application that maintains highly secured data (e.g., humanresources data, customer data, engineering data) that may be deemed bythe enterprise as too sensitive for even the secured mobile environmentso the enterprise may elect to use virtualization techniques to permitmobile access to such applications and data. An enterprise may elect toprovide both fully secured and fully functional applications on theclient device. The enterprise can use a client application, which caninclude a virtualization application, to allow access to applicationsthat are deemed more properly operated on the server side. In anembodiment, the virtualization application may store some data, files,etc., on the mobile phone in one of the secure storage locations. Anenterprise, for example, may elect to allow certain information to bestored on the phone while not permitting other information.

In connection with the virtualization application, as described herein,the client device may have a virtualization application that is designedto present GUIs and then record user interactions with the GUI. Thevirtualization application may communicate the user interactions to theserver side to be used by the server side application as userinteractions with the application. In response, the application on theserver side may transmit back to the client device a new GUI. Forexample, the new GUI may be a static page, a dynamic page, an animation,or the like, thereby providing access to remotely located resources.

The secure applications may access data stored in a secure datacontainer 228 in the managed partition 210 of the client device. Thedata secured in the secure data container may be accessed by the securewrapped applications 214, applications executed by a secure applicationlauncher 222, virtualization applications 226 executed by a secureapplication launcher 218, and the like. The data stored in the securedata container 228 may include files, databases, and the like. The datastored in the secure data container 228 may include data restricted to aspecific secure application 230, shared among secure applications 232,and the like. Data restricted to a secure application may include securegeneral data 234 and highly secure data 238. Secure general data may usea strong form of encryption such as Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)128-bit encryption or the like, while highly secure data 238 may use avery strong form of encryption such as AES 256-bit encryption. Datastored in the secure data container 228 may be deleted from the deviceupon receipt of a command from the device manager 224. The secureapplications may have a dual-mode option 240. The dual mode option 240may present the user with an option to operate the secured applicationin an unsecured or unmanaged mode. In an unsecured or unmanaged mode,the secure applications may access data stored in an unsecured datacontainer 242 on the unmanaged partition 212 of the client device 202.The data stored in an unsecured data container may be personal data 244.The data stored in an unsecured data container 242 may also be accessedby unsecured applications 248 that are running on the unmanagedpartition 212 of the client device 202. The data stored in an unsecureddata container 242 may remain on the client device 202 when the datastored in the secure data container 228 is deleted from the clientdevice 202. An enterprise may want to delete from the client deviceselected or all data, files, and/or applications owned, licensed orcontrolled by the enterprise (enterprise data) while leaving orotherwise preserving personal data, files, and/or applications owned,licensed or controlled by the user (personal data). This operation maybe referred to as a selective wipe. With the enterprise and personaldata arranged in accordance to the aspects described herein, anenterprise may perform a selective wipe.

The client device 202 may connect to enterprise resources 204 andenterprise services 208 at an enterprise, to the public Internet 248,and the like. The client device may connect to enterprise resources 204and enterprise services 208 through virtual private network connections.The virtual private network connections, also referred to as microVPN orapplication-specific VPN, may be specific to particular applications(e.g., as illustrated by microVPNs 250), particular devices, particularsecured areas on the client device (e.g., as illustrated by O/S VPN252), and the like. For example, each of the wrapped applications in thesecured area of the phone may access enterprise resources through anapplication specific VPN such that access to the VPN would be grantedbased on attributes associated with the application, possibly inconjunction with user or device attribute information. The virtualprivate network connections may carry Microsoft Exchange traffic,Microsoft Active Directory traffic, HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP)traffic, HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) traffic, applicationmanagement traffic, and the like. The virtual private networkconnections may support and enable single-sign-on authenticationprocesses 254. The single-sign-on processes may allow a user to providea single set of authentication credentials, which are then verified byan authentication service 258. The authentication service 258 may thengrant to the user access to multiple enterprise resources 204, withoutrequiring the user to provide authentication credentials to eachindividual enterprise resource 204.

The virtual private network connections may be established and managedby an access gateway 260. The access gateway 260 may include performanceenhancement features that manage, accelerate, and improve the deliveryof enterprise resources 204 to the client device 202. The access gatewaymay also re-route traffic from the client device 202 to the publicInternet 248, enabling the client device 202 to access publiclyavailable and unsecured applications that run on the public Internet248. The client device may connect to the access gateway via a transportnetwork 262. The transport network 262 may use one or more transportprotocols and may be a wired network, wireless network, cloud network,local area network, metropolitan area network, wide area network, publicnetwork, private network, and the like.

The enterprise resources 204 may include email servers, file sharingservers, SaaS/Web applications, Web application servers, Windowsapplication servers, and the like. Email servers may include Exchangeservers, Lotus Notes servers, and the like. File sharing servers mayinclude ShareFile servers, and the like. SaaS applications may includeSalesforce, and the like. Windows application servers may include anyapplication server that is built to provide applications that areintended to run on a local Windows operating system, and the like. Theenterprise resources 204 may be premise-based resources, cloud basedresources, and the like. The enterprise resources 204 may be accessed bythe client device 202 directly or through the access gateway 260. Theenterprise resources 204 may be accessed by the client device 202 via atransport network 262. The transport network 262 may be a wired network,wireless network, cloud network, local area network, metropolitan areanetwork, wide area network, public network, private network, and thelike.

Cloud services can include an access gateway 260 and/or enterpriseservices 208. The enterprise services 208 may include authenticationservices 258, threat detection services 264, device manager services224, file sharing services 268, policy manager services 270, socialintegration services 272, application controller services 274, and thelike. Authentication services 258 may include user authenticationservices, device authentication services, application authenticationservices, data authentication services and the like. Authenticationservices 258 may use certificates. The certificates may be stored on theclient device 202, by the enterprise resources 204, and the like. Thecertificates stored on the client device 202 may be stored in anencrypted location on the client device, the certificate may betemporarily stored on the client device 202 for use at the time ofauthentication, and the like. Threat detection services 264 may includeintrusion detection services, unauthorized access attempt detectionservices, and the like. Unauthorized access attempt detection servicesmay include unauthorized attempts to access devices, applications, data,and the like. Device management services 224 may include configuration,provisioning, security, support, monitoring, reporting, anddecommissioning services. File sharing services 268 may include filemanagement services, file storage services, file collaboration services,and the like. Policy manager services 270 may include device policymanager services, application policy manager services, data policymanager services, and the like. Social integration services 272 mayinclude contact integration services, collaboration services,integration with social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, andLinkedIn, and the like. Application controller services 274 may includemanagement services, provisioning services, deployment services,assignment services, revocation services, wrapping services, and thelike.

The enterprise mobility technical architecture 200 may include anapplication store 278. The application store 278 may include unwrappedapplications 280, pre-wrapped applications 282, and the like.Applications may be populated in the application store 278 from theapplication controller 274. The application store 278 may be accessed bythe client device 202 through the access gateway 260, through the publicInternet 248, or the like. The application store may be provided with anintuitive and easy to use User Interface.

A software development kit 284 may provide a user the capability tosecure applications selected by the user by providing a secure wrapperaround the application. An application that has been wrapped using thesoftware development kit 284 may then be made available to the clientdevice 202 by populating it in the application store 278 using theapplication controller 274.

The enterprise mobility technical architecture 200 may include amanagement and analytics capability. The management and analyticscapability may provide information related to how resources are used,how often resources are used, and the like. Resources may includedevices, applications, data, and the like. How resources are used mayinclude which devices download which applications, which applicationsaccess which data, and the like. How often resources are used mayinclude how often an application has been downloaded, how many times aspecific set of data has been accessed by an application, and the like.

FIG. 3 depicts is an illustrative embodiment of an enterprise mobilitymanagement system 300. Some of the components of the mobility managementsystem 200 described above with reference to FIG. 2 have been omittedfor the sake of simplicity. The architecture of the system 300 depictedin FIG. 3 is similar in many respects to the architecture of the system200 described above with reference to FIG. 2 and may include additionalfeatures not mentioned above.

In this case, the left hand side represents an enrolled client device302 with a client agent 304, which interacts with gateway server 306 toaccess various enterprise resources 308 and services 309 such as Web orSasS applications, Exchange, Sharepoint, public-key infrastructure (PKI)Resources, Kerberos Resources, Certificate Issuance service, as shown onthe right hand side above. The gateway server 306 can includeembodiments of features and functionalities of the cloud services, suchas access gateway 260 and application controller functionality. Althoughnot specifically shown, the client agent 304 may be part of, and/orinteract with the client application which can operate as an enterpriseapplication store (storefront) for the selection and/or downloading ofnetwork applications.

The client agent 304 can act as a UI (user interface) intermediary forWindows apps/desktops hosted in an Enterprise data center, which areaccessed using the High-Definition User Experience (HDX) or IndependentComputing Architecture (ICA) display remoting protocol. The client agent304 can also support the installation and management of nativeapplications on the client device 302, such as native iOS or Androidapplications. For example, the managed applications 310 (mail, browser,wrapped application) shown in the figure above are native applicationsthat execute locally on the device. Client agent 304 and applicationmanagement framework of this architecture act to provide policy drivenmanagement capabilities and features such as connectivity and SSO(single sign on) to enterprise resources/services 308. The client agent304 handles primary user authentication to the enterprise, for instanceto access gateway (AG) with SSO to other gateway server components. Theclient agent 304 obtains policies from gateway server 306 to control thebehavior of the managed applications 310 on the client device 302.

The Secure interprocess communication (IPC) links 312 between the nativeapplications 310 and client agent 304 represent a management channel,which allows client agent to supply policies to be enforced by theapplication management framework 314 “wrapping” each application. TheIPC channel 312 also allows client agent 304 to supply credential andauthentication information that enables connectivity and SSO toenterprise resources 308. Finally the IPC channel 312 allows theapplication management framework 314 to invoke user interface functionsimplemented by client agent 304, such as online and offlineauthentication.

Communications between the client agent 304 and gateway server 306 areessentially an extension of the management channel from the applicationmanagement framework 314 wrapping each native managed application 310.The application management framework 314 requests policy informationfrom client agent 304, which in turn requests it from gateway server306. The application management framework 314 requests authentication,and client agent 304 logs into the gateway services part of gatewayserver 306 (also known as NetScaler access gateway). Client agent 304may also call supporting services on gateway server 306, which mayproduce input material to derive encryption keys for the local datavaults 316, or provide client certificates which may enable directauthentication to PKI protected resources, as more fully explainedbelow.

In more detail, the application management framework 314 “wraps” eachmanaged application 310. This may be incorporated via an explicit buildstep, or via a post-build processing step. The application managementframework 314 may “pair” with client agent 304 on first launch of anapplication 310 to initialize the Secure IPC channel and obtain thepolicy for that application. The application management framework 314may enforce relevant portions of the policy that apply locally, such asthe client agent login dependencies and some of the containment policiesthat restrict how local OS services may be used, or how they mayinteract with the application 310.

The application management framework 314 may use services provided byclient agent 304 over the Secure IPC channel 312 to facilitateauthentication and internal network access. Key management for theprivate and shared data vaults 316 (containers) may be also managed byappropriate interactions between the managed applications 310 and clientagent 304. Vaults 316 may be available only after online authentication,or may be made available after offline authentication if allowed bypolicy. First use of vaults 316 may require online authentication, andoffline access may be limited to at most the policy refresh periodbefore online authentication is again required.

Network access to internal resources may occur directly from individualmanaged applications 310 through access gateway 306. The applicationmanagement framework 314 is responsible for orchestrating the networkaccess on behalf of each application 310. Client agent 304 mayfacilitate these network connections by providing suitable time limitedsecondary credentials obtained following online authentication. Multiplemodes of network connection may be used, such as reverse web proxyconnections and end-to-end VPN-style tunnels 318.

The Mail and Browser managed applications 310 can have special statusand may make use of facilities that might not be generally available toarbitrary wrapped applications. For example, the Mail application mayuse a special background network access mechanism that allows it toaccess Exchange over an extended period of time without requiring a fullAG logon. The Browser application may use multiple private data vaultsto segregate different kinds of data.

This architecture can support the incorporation of various othersecurity features. For example, gateway server 306 (including itsgateway services) in some cases might not need to validate activedirectory (AD) passwords. It can be left to the discretion of anenterprise whether an AD password is used as an authentication factorfor some users in some situations. Different authentication methods maybe used if a user is online or offline (i.e., connected or not connectedto a network).

Step up authentication is a feature wherein gateway server 306 mayidentify managed native applications 310 that are allowed to have accessto more sensitive data using strong authentication, and ensure thataccess to these applications is only permitted after performingappropriate authentication, even if this means a re-authentication isrequested from the user after a prior weaker level of login.

Another security feature of this solution is the encryption of the datavaults 316 (containers) on the client device 302. The vaults 316 may beencrypted so that all on-device data including clipboard/cache data,files, databases, and configurations are protected. For on-line vaults,the keys may be stored on the server (gateway server 306), and foroff-line vaults, a local copy of the keys may be protected by a userpassword or biometric validation. When data is stored locally on thedevice 302 in the secure container 316, it is preferred that a minimumof AES 256 encryption algorithm be utilized.

Other secure container features may also be implemented. For example, alogging feature may be included, wherein all security events happeninginside an application 310 are logged and reported to the backend. Datawiping may be supported, such as if the application 310 detectstampering, associated encryption keys may be written over with randomdata, leaving no hint on the file system that user data was destroyed.Screenshot protection is another feature, where an application mayprevent any data from being stored in screenshots. For example, the keywindow's hidden property may be set to YES. This may cause whatevercontent is currently displayed on the screen to be hidden, resulting ina blank screenshot where any content would normally reside.

Local data transfer may be prevented, such as by preventing any datafrom being locally transferred outside the application container, e.g.,by copying it or sending it to an external application. A keyboard cachefeature may operate to disable the autocorrect functionality forsensitive text fields. SSL certificate validation may be operable so theapplication specifically validates the server SSL certificate instead ofit being stored in the keychain. An encryption key generation featuremay be used such that the key used to encrypt data on the device isgenerated using a passphrase or biometric data supplied by the user (ifoffline access is required). It may be XORed with another key randomlygenerated and stored on the server side if offline access is notrequired. Key Derivation functions may operate such that keys generatedfrom the user password use KDFs (key derivation functions, notablyPassword-Based Key Derivation Function 2 (PBKDF2)) rather than creatinga cryptographic hash of it. The latter makes a key susceptible to bruteforce or dictionary attacks.

Further, one or more initialization vectors may be used in encryptionmethods. An initialization vector might cause multiple copies of thesame encrypted data to yield different cipher text output, preventingboth replay and cryptanalytic attacks. This may also prevent an attackerfrom decrypting any data even with a stolen encryption key. Further,authentication then decryption may be used, wherein application data isdecrypted only after the user has authenticated within the application.Another feature may relate to sensitive data in memory, which may bekept in memory (and not in disk) only when it's needed. For example,login credentials may be wiped from memory after login, and encryptionkeys and other data inside objective-C instance variables are notstored, as they may be easily referenced. Instead, memory may bemanually allocated for these.

An inactivity timeout may be implemented via the CEB, wherein after apolicy-defined period of inactivity, a user session is terminated.

Data leakage from the application management framework 314 may beprevented in other ways. For example, when an application 310 is put inthe background, the memory may be cleared after a predetermined(configurable) time period. When backgrounded, a snapshot may be takenof the last displayed screen of the application to fasten theforegrounding process. The screenshot may contain confidential data andhence should be cleared.

Another security feature relates to the use of an OTP (one timepassword) 320 without the use of an AD (active directory) 322 passwordfor access to one or more applications. In some cases, some users do notknow (or are not permitted to know) their AD password, so these usersmay authenticate using an OTP 320 such as by using a hardware OTP systemlike SecurID (OTPs may be provided by different vendors also, such asEntrust or Gemalto). In some cases, after a user authenticates with auser ID, a text is sent to the user with an OTP 320. In some cases, thismay be implemented only for online use, with a prompt being a singlefield.

An offline password may be implemented for offline authentication forthose applications 310 for which offline use is permitted via enterprisepolicy. For example, an enterprise may want storefront to be accessed inthis manner. In this case, the client agent 304 may require the user toset a custom offline password and the AD password is not used. Gatewayserver 306 may provide policies to control and enforce passwordstandards with respect to the minimum length, character classcomposition, and age of passwords, such as described by the standardWindows Server password complexity requirements, although theserequirements may be modified.

Another feature relates to the enablement of a client side certificatefor certain applications 310 as secondary credentials (for the purposeof accessing PKI protected web resources via the application managementframework micro VPN feature). For example, an application may utilizesuch a certificate. In this case, certificate-based authentication usingActiveSync protocol may be supported, wherein a certificate from theclient agent 304 may be retrieved by gateway server 306 and used in akeychain. Each managed application may have one associated clientcertificate, identified by a label that is defined in gateway server306.

Gateway server 306 may interact with an Enterprise special purpose webservice to support the issuance of client certificates to allow relevantmanaged applications to authenticate to internal PKI protectedresources.

The client agent 304 and the application management framework 314 may beenhanced to support obtaining and using client certificates forauthentication to internal PKI protected network resources. More thanone certificate may be supported, such as to match various levels ofsecurity and/or separation requirements. The certificates may be used bythe Mail and Browser managed applications, and ultimately by arbitrarywrapped applications (provided those applications use web service stylecommunication patterns where it is reasonable for the applicationmanagement framework to mediate https requests).

Application management client certificate support on iOS may rely onimporting public-key cryptography standards (PKCS) 12 BLOB (Binary LargeObject) into the iOS keychain in each managed application for eachperiod of use. Application management framework client certificatesupport may use a HTTPS implementation with private in-memory keystorage. The client certificate might never be present in the iOSkeychain and might not be persisted except potentially in “online-only”data value that is strongly protected.

Mutual SSL or TLS may also be implemented to provide additional securityby requiring that a client device 302 is authenticated to theenterprise, and vice versa. Virtual smart cards for authentication togateway server 306 may also be implemented.

Both limited and full Kerberos support may be additional features. Thefull support feature relates to an ability to do full Kerberos login toActive Directory (AD) 322, using an AD password or trusted clientcertificate, and obtain Kerberos service tickets to respond to HTTPNegotiate authentication challenges. The limited support feature relatesto constrained delegation in Citrix Access Gateway Enterprise Edition(AGEE), where AGEE supports invoking Kerberos protocol transition so itcan obtain and use Kerberos service tickets (subject to constraineddelegation) in response to HTTP Negotiate authentication challenges.This mechanism works in reverse web proxy (aka corporate virtual privatenetwork (CVPN)) mode, and when http (but not https) connections areproxied in VPN and MicroVPN mode.

Another feature relates to application container locking and wiping,which may automatically occur upon jail-break or rooting detections, andoccur as a pushed command from administration console, and may includeremote wipe functionality even when an application 310 is not running.

A multi-site architecture or configuration of enterprise applicationstore and an application controller may be supported that allows usersto be service from one of several different locations in case offailure.

In some cases, managed applications 310 may be allowed to access acertificate and private key via an API (example OpenSSL). Trustedmanaged applications 310 of an enterprise may be allowed to performspecific Public Key operations with an application's client certificateand private key. Various use cases may be identified and treatedaccordingly, such as when an application behaves like a browser and nocertificate access is used, when an application reads a certificate for“who am I,” when an application uses the certificate to build a securesession token, and when an application uses private keys for digitalsigning of important data (e.g., transaction log) or for temporary dataencryption.

Referring now to FIG. 4, depicted is a block diagram of a system 400 ofan embedded browser. In brief overview, the system 400 may include aclient device 402 with a digital workspace for a user, a clientapplication 404, cloud services 408 operating on at least one networkdevice 432, and network applications 406 served from and/or hosted onone or more servers 430. The client application 404 can for instanceinclude at least one of: an embedded browser 410, a networking agent412, a cloud services agent 414, a remote session agent 416, or a securecontainer 418. The cloud services 408 can for instance include at leastone of: secure browser(s) 420, an access gateway 422 (or CIS, e.g., forregistering and/or authenticating the client application and/or user),or analytics services 424 (or CAS, e.g., for receiving information fromthe client application for analytics). The network applications 406 caninclude sanctioned applications 426 and non-sanctioned applications 428.

Each of the above-mentioned elements or entities is implemented inhardware, or a combination of hardware and software, in one or moreembodiments. Each component of the system 400 may be implemented usinghardware or a combination of hardware or software detailed above inconnection with FIG. 1. For instance, each of these elements or entitiescan include any application, program, library, script, task, service,process or any type and form of executable instructions executing onhardware of the client device 402, the at least one network device 432and/or the one or more servers 430. The hardware includes circuitry suchas one or more processors in one or more embodiments. For example, theat least one network device 432 and/or the one or more servers 430 caninclude any of the elements of a computing device described above inconnection with at least FIG. 1 for instance.

The client device 402 can include any embodiment of a computing devicedescribed above in connection with at least FIG. 1 for instance. Theclient device 402 can include any user device such as a desktopcomputer, a laptop computer, a tablet device, a smart phone, or anyother mobile or personal device. The client device 402 can include adigital workspace of a user, which can include file system(s), cache ormemory (e.g., including electronic clipboard(s)), container(s),application(s) and/or other resources on the client device 402. Thedigital workspace can include or extend to one or more networksaccessible by the client device 402, such as an intranet and theInternet, including file system(s) and/or other resources accessible viathe one or more networks. A portion of the digital workspace can besecured via the use of the client application 404 with embedded browser410 (CEB) for instance. The secure portion of the digital workspace caninclude for instance file system(s), cache or memory (e.g., includingelectronic clipboard(s)), application(s), container(s) and/or otherresources allocated to the CEB, and/or allocated by the CEB to networkapplication(s) 406 accessed via the CEB. The secure portion of thedigital workspace can also include resources specified by the CEB (viaone or more policies) for inclusion in the secure portion of the digitalworkspace (e.g., a particular local application can be specified via apolicy to be allowed to receive data obtained from a networkapplication).

The client application 404 can include one or more components, such asan embedded browser 410, a networking agent 412, a cloud services agent414 (sometimes referred to as management agent), a remote session agent416 (sometimes referred to as HDX engine), and/or a secure container 418(sometimes referred to as secure cache container). One or more of thecomponents can be installed as part of a software build or release ofthe client application 404 or CEB, or separately acquired or downloadedand installed/integrated into an existing installation of the clientapplication 404 or CEB for instance. For instance, the client device maydownload or otherwise receive the client application 404 (or anycomponent) from the network device(s) 432. In some embodiments, theclient device may send a request for the client application 404 to thenetwork device(s) 432. For example, a user of the client device caninitiate a request, download and/or installation of the clientapplication. The network device(s) 432 in turn may send the clientapplication to the client device. In some embodiments, the networkdevice(s) 432 may send a setup or installation application for theclient application to the client device. Upon receipt, the client devicemay install the client application onto a hard disk of the clientdevice. In some embodiments, the client device may run the setupapplication to unpack or decompress a package of the client application.In some embodiments, the client application may be an extension (e.g.,an add-on, an add-in, an applet or a plug-in) to another application(e.g., a networking agent 412) installed on the client device. Theclient device may install the client application to interface orinter-operate with the pre-installed application. In some embodiments,the client application may be a standalone application. The clientdevice may install the client application to execute as a separateprocess.

The embedded browser 410 can include elements and functionalities of aweb browser application or engine. The embedded browser 410 can locallyrender network application(s) as a component or extension of the clientapplication. For instance, the embedded browser 410 can render aSaaS/Web application inside the CEB which can provide the CEB with fullvisibility and control of the application session. The embedded browsercan be embedded or incorporated into the client application via anymeans, such as direct integration (e.g., programming language or scriptinsertion) into the executable code of the client application, or viaplugin installation. For example, the embedded browser can include aChromium based browser engine or other type of browser engine, that canbe embedded into the client application, using the Chromium embeddedframework (CEF) for instance. The embedded browser can include aHTML5-based layout graphical user interface (GUI). The embedded browsercan provide HTML rendering and JavaScript support to a clientapplication incorporating various programming languages. For example,elements of the embedded browser can bind to a client applicationincorporating C, C++, Delphi, Go, Java, .NET/Mono, Visual Basic 6.0,and/or Python.

In some embodiments, the embedded browser comprises a plug-in installedon the client application. For example, the plug-in can include one ormore components. One such component can be an ActiveX control or Javacontrol or any other type and/or form of executable instructions capableof loading into and executing in the client application. For example,the client application can load and run an Active X control of theembedded browser, such as in a memory space or context of the clientapplication. In some embodiments, the embedded browser can be installedas an extension on the client application, and a user can choose toenable or disable the plugin or extension. The embedded browser (e.g.,via the plugin or extension) can form or operate as a secured browserfor securing, using and/or accessing resources within the securedportion of the digital workspace.

The embedded browser can incorporate code and functionalities beyondthat available or possible in a standard or typical browser. Forinstance, the embedded browser can bind with or be assigned with asecured container 418, to define at least part of the secured portion ofa user's digital workspace. The embedded browser can bind with or beassigned with a portion of the client device's cache to form a securedclipboard (e.g., local to the client device, or extendable to otherdevices), that can be at least part of the secured container 418. Theembedded browser can be integrated with the client application to ensurethat traffic related to network applications is routed through and/orprocessed in the client application, which can provide the clientapplication with real-time visibility to the traffic (e.g., whendecrypted through the client application). This visibility to thetraffic can allow the client application to perform or facilitatepolicy-based management (e.g., including data loss prevention (DLP)capabilities), application control, and collection and production ofanalytics.

In some embodiments, the embedded browser incorporates one or more othercomponents of the client application 404, such as the cloud servicesagent 414, remote session agent 416 and/or secure container 418. Forinstance, a user can use the cloud services agent 414 of the embeddedbrowser to interoperate with the access gateway 422 (sometimes referredto as CIS) to access a network application. For example, the cloudservices agent 414 can execute within the embedded browser, and canreceive and transmit navigation commands from the embedded browser to ahosted network application. The cloud services agent can use a remotepresentation protocol to display the output generated by the networkapplication to the embedded browser. For example, the cloud servicesagent 414 can include a HTML5 web client that allows end users to accessremote desktops and/or applications on the embedded browser.

The client application 404 and CEB operate on the application layer ofthe operational (OSI) stack of the client device. The client application404 can include and/or execute one or more agents that interoperate withthe cloud services 408. The client application 404 can receive, obtain,retrieve or otherwise access various policies (e.g., an enterprise'scustom, specified or internal policies or rules) and/or data (e.g., froman access gateway 422 and/or network device(s) of cloud services 408, orother server(s), that may be managed by the enterprise). The clientapplication can access the policies and/or data to control and/or managea network application (e.g., a SaaS, web or remote-hosted application).Control and/or management of a network application can include controland/or management of various aspects of the network application, such asaccess control, session delivery, available features or functions,service level, traffic management and monitoring, and so on. The networkapplication can be from a provider or vendor of the enterprise (e.g.,salesforce.com, SAP, Microsoft Office 365), from the enterprise itself,or from another entity (e.g., Dropbox or Gmail service).

For example, the cloud services agent 414 can provide policy drivenmanagement capabilities and features related to the use and/or access ofnetwork applications. For example, the cloud services agent 414 caninclude a policy engine to apply one or more policies (e.g., receivedfrom cloud services) to determine access control and/or connectivity toresources such as network applications. When a session is establishedbetween the client application and a server 430 providing a SaaSapplication for instance, the cloud services agent 414 can apply one ormore policies to control traffic levels and/or traffic types (or otheraspects) of the session, for instance to manage a service level of theSaaS application. Additional aspects of the application traffic that canbe controlled or managed can include encryption level and/or encryptiontype applied to the traffic, level of interactivity allowed for a user,limited access to certain features of the network application (e.g.,print-screen, save, edit or copy functions), restrictions to use ortransfer of data obtained from the network application, limit concurrentaccess to two or more network applications, limit access to certain filerepositories or other resources, and so on.

The cloud services agent 414 can convey or feed information to analyticsservices 424 of the cloud services 408, such as information about SaaSinteraction events visible to the CEB. Such a configuration using theCEB can monitor or capture information for analytics without having aninline device or proxy located between the client device and theserver(s) 430, or using a SaaS API gateway ‘out-of-band’ approach. Insome embodiments, the cloud services agent 414 does not execute withinthe embedded browser. In these embodiments, a user can similarly use thecloud services agent 414 to interoperate with the access gateway (orCIS) 422 to access a network application. For instance, the cloudservices agent 414 can register and/or authenticate with the accessgateway (or CIS) 422, and can obtain a list of the network applicationsfrom the access gateway (or CIS) 422. The cloud services agent 414 caninclude and/or operate as an application store (or storefront) for userselection and/or downloading of network applications. Upon logging in toaccess a network application, the cloud services agent 414 can interceptand transmit navigation commands from the embedded browser to thenetwork application. The cloud services agent can use a remotepresentation protocol to display the output generated by the networkapplication to the embedded browser. For example, the cloud servicesagent 414 can include a HTML5 web client that allows end users to accessremote desktops and/or applications on the embedded browser.

In some embodiments, the cloud services agent 414 provides single signon (SSO) capability for the user and/or client device to access aplurality of network applications. The cloud services agent 414 canperform user authentication to access network applications as well asother network resources and services, by communicating with the accessgateway 422 for instance. For example, the cloud services agent 414 canauthenticate or register with the access gateway 422, to access othercomponents of the cloud services 408 and/or the network applications406. Responsive to the authentication or registration, the accessgateway 422 can perform authentication and/or SSO for (or on behalf of)the user and/or client application, with the network applications.

The client application 404 can include a networking agent 412. Thenetworking agent 412 is sometimes referred to as a software-defined widearea network (SD-WAN) agent, mVPN agent, or microVPN agent. Thenetworking agent 412 can establish or facilitate establishment of anetwork connection between the client application and one or moreresources (e.g., server 430 serving a network application). Thenetworking agent 412 can perform handshaking for a requested connectionfrom the client application to access a network application, and canestablish the requested connection (e.g., secure or encryptedconnection). The networking agent 412 can connect to enterpriseresources (including services) for instance via a virtual privatenetwork (VPN). For example, the networking agent 412 can establish asecure socket layer (SSL) VPN between the client application and aserver 430 providing the network application 406. The VPN connections,sometimes referred to as microVPN or application-specific VPN, may bespecific to particular network applications, particular devices,particular secured areas on the client device, and the like, forinstance as discussed above in connection with FIG. 3. Such VPNconnections can carry Microsoft Exchange traffic, Microsoft ActiveDirectory traffic, HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) traffic, HyperTextTransfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) traffic, as some examples.

The remote session agent 416 (sometimes referred to as HDX engine) caninclude features of the client agent 304 discussed above in connectionwith FIG. 2 for instance, to support display a remoting protocol (e.g.,HDX or ICA). In some embodiments, the remote session agent 416 canestablish a remote desktop session and/or remote application session inaccordance to any variety of protocols, such as the Remote DesktopProtocol (RDP), Appliance Link Protocol (ALP), Remote Frame Buffer (RFB)Protocol, and ICA Protocol. For example, the remote session agent 416can establish a remote application session for a user of the clientdevice to access an enterprise network application. The remote sessionagent 416 can establish the remote application session within or over asecure connection (e.g., a VPN) established by the networking agent 412for instance.

The client application or CEB can include or be associated with a securecontainer 418. A secure container can include a logical or virtualdelineation of one or more types of resources accessible within theclient device and/or accessible by the client device. For example, thesecure container 418 can refer to the entirety of the secured portion ofthe digital workspace, or particular aspect(s) of the secured portion.In some embodiments, the secure container 418 corresponds to a securecache (e.g., electronic or virtual clipboard), and can dynamicallyincorporate a portion of a local cache of each client device of a user,and/or a cloud-based cache of the user, that is protected or secured(e.g., encrypted). The secure container can define a portion of filesystem(s), and/or delineate resources allocated to a CEB and/or tonetwork applications accessed via the CEB. The secure container caninclude elements of the secure data container 228 discussed above inconnection with FIG. 2 for example. The CEB can be configured (e.g., viapolicies) to limit, disallow or disable certain actions or activities onresources and/or data identified to be within a secure container. Asecured container can be defined to specify that the resources and/ordata within the secure container are to be monitored for misuse, abuseand/or exfiltration.

In certain embodiments, a secure container relates to or involves theuse of a secure browser (e.g., embedded browser 410 or secure browser420) that implements various enterprise security features. Networkapplications (or web pages accessed by the secure browser) that areconfigured to run within the secure browser can effectively inherit thesecurity mechanisms implemented by the secure browser. These networkapplications can be considered to be contained within the securecontainer. The use of such a secure browser can enable an enterprise toimplement a content filtering policy in which, for example, employeesare blocked from accessing certain web sites from their client devices.The secure browser can be used, for example, to enable client deviceusers to access a corporate intranet without the need for a VPN.

In some embodiments, a secure container can support various types ofremedial actions for protecting enterprise resources. One such remedy isto lock the client device, or a secure container on the client devicethat stores data to be protected, such that the client device or securecontainer can only be unlocked with a valid code provided by anadministrator for instance. In some embodiments, these and other typesof remedies can be invoked automatically based on conditions detected onthe client device (via the application of policies for instance), or canbe remotely initiated by an administrator.

In some embodiments, a secure container can include a secure documentcontainer for documents. A document can comprise any computer-readablefile including text, audio, video, and/or other types of information ormedia. A document can comprise any single one or combination of thesemedia types. As explained herein, the secure container can help preventthe spread of enterprise information to different applications andcomponents of the client device, as well as to other devices. Theenterprise system (which can be partially or entirely within a cloudnetwork) can transmit documents to various devices, which can be storedwithin the secure container. The secure container can preventunauthorized applications and other components of the client device fromaccessing information within the secure container. For enterprises thatallow users to use their own client devices for accessing, storing, andusing enterprise data, providing secure container on the client deviceshelps to secure the enterprise data. For instance, providing securecontainers on the client devices can centralize enterprise data in onelocation on each client device, and can facilitate selective or completedeletion of enterprise data from each client device when desired.

The secure container can include an application that implements a filesystem that stores documents and/or other types of files. The filesystem can comprise a portion of a computer-readable memory of theclient device. The file system can be logically separated from otherportions of the computer-readable memory of the client device. In thisway, enterprise data can be stored in a secure container and privatedata can be stored in a separate portion of the computer-readable memoryof the client device for instance. The secure container can allow theCEB, network applications accessed via the CEB, locally installedapplications and/or other components of the client device to read from,write to, and/or delete information from the file system (if authorizedto do so). Deleting data from the secure container can include deletingactual data stored in the secure container, deleting pointers to datastored in the secure container, deleting encryption keys used to decryptdata stored in the secure container, and the like. The secure containercan be installed by, e.g., the client application, an administrator, orthe client device manufacturer. The secure container can enable some orall of the enterprise data stored in the file system to be deletedwithout modifying private data stored on the client device outside ofthe secure container. The file system can facilitate selective orcomplete deletion of data from the file system. For example, anauthorized component of the enterprise's system can delete data from thefile system based on, e.g., encoded rules. In some embodiments, theclient application can delete the data from the file system, in responseto receiving a deletion command from the enterprise's system.

The secure container can include an access manager that governs accessto the file system by applications and other components of the clientdevice. Access to the file system can be governed based on documentaccess policies (e.g., encoded rules) maintained by the clientapplication, in the documents and/or in the file system. A documentaccess policy can limit access to the file system based on (1) whichapplication or other component of the client device is requestingaccess, (2) which documents are being requested, (3) time or date, (4)geographical position of the client device, (5) whether the requestingapplication or other component provides a correct certificate orcredentials, (6) whether the user of the client device provides correctcredentials, (7) other conditions, or any combination thereof. A user'scredentials can comprise, for example, a password, one or more answersto security questions (e.g., What is the mascot of your high school?),biometric information (e.g., fingerprint scan, eye-scan), and the like.Hence, by using the access manager, the secure container can beconfigured to be accessed only by applications that are authorized toaccess the secure container. As one example, the access manager canenable enterprise applications installed on the client device to accessdata stored in the secure container and to prevent non-enterpriseapplications from accessing the data stored in the secure container.

Temporal and geographic restrictions on document access may be useful.For example, an administrator may deploy a document access policy thatrestricts the availability of the documents (stored within the securecontainer) to a specified time window and/or a geographic zone (e.g., asdetermined by a GPS chip) within which the client device must reside inorder to access the documents. Further, the document access policy caninstruct the secure container or client application to delete thedocuments from the secure container or otherwise make them unavailablewhen the specified time period expires or if the client device is takenoutside of the defined geographic zone.

Some documents can have access policies that forbid the document frombeing saved within the secure container. In such embodiments, thedocument can be available for viewing on the client device only when theuser is logged in or authenticated via the cloud services for example.

The access manager can also be configured to enforce certain modes ofconnectivity between remote devices (e.g., an enterprise resource orother enterprise server) and the secure container. For example, theaccess manager can require that documents received by the securecontainer from a remote device and/or sent from the secure container tothe remote device be transmitted through secured tunnels/connections,for example. The access manager can require that all documentstransmitted to and from the secure container be encrypted. The clientapplication or access manager can be configured to encrypt documentssent from the secure container and decrypt documents sent to the securecontainer. Documents in the secure container can also be stored in anencrypted form.

The secure container can be configured to prevent documents or dataincluded within documents or the secure container from being used byunauthorized applications or components of the client device or otherdevices. For instance, a client device application having authorizationto access documents from the secure container can be programmed toprevent a user from copying a document's data and pasting it intoanother file or application interface, or locally saving the document ordocument data as a new file outside of the secure container. Similarly,the secure container can include a document viewer and/or editor that donot permit such copy/paste and local save operations. Moreover, theaccess manager can be configured to prevent such copy/paste and localsave operations. Further, the secure container and applicationsprogrammed and authorized to access documents from the secure containercan be configured to prevent users from attaching such documents toemails or other forms of communication.

One or more applications (e.g., applications installed on the clientdevice, and/or network applications accessed via the CEB) can beprogrammed or controlled (e.g., via policy-based enforcement) to writeenterprise-related data only into the secure container. For instance, anapplication's source code can be provided with the resource name of thesecure container. Similarly, a remote application (e.g., executing on adevice other than the client device) can be configured to send data ordocuments only to the secure container (as opposed to other componentsor memory locations of the client device). Storing data to the securecontainer can occur automatically, for example, under control of theapplication, the client application, and/or the secure browser. Theclient application can be programmed to encrypt or decrypt documentsstored or to be stored within the secure container. In certainembodiments, the secure container can only be used by applications (onthe client device or a remote device) that are programmed to identifyand use the secure container, and which have authorization to do so.

The network applications 406 can include sanctioned network applications426 and non-sanctioned network applications 428. By way of anon-limiting example, sanctioned network applications 426 can includenetwork applications from Workday, Salesforce, Office 365, SAP, and soon, while non-sanctioned network applications 426 can include networkapplications from Dropbox, Gmail, and so on. For instance, FIG. 4illustrates a case where sanctioned applications 426 are accessed via aCEB. In operation (1), a user instance of a client application 404, thatis installed on client device 402, can register or authenticate with theaccess gateway 422 of cloud services 408. For example, the user canauthenticate the user to the client device and login to the clientdevice 402. The client application can automatically execute, or beactivated by the user. In some embodiments, the user can sign in to theclient application (e.g., by authenticating the user to the clientapplication). In response to the login or sign-in, the clientapplication can register or authenticate the user and/or the clientapplication with the access gateway 422.

In operation (2), in response to the registration or authentication, theaccess gateway 422 can identify or retrieve a list of enumerated networkapplications available or pre-assigned to the user, and can provide thelist to the client application. For example, in response to theregistration or authentication, the access gateway can identify the userand/or retrieve a user profile of the user. According to the identityand/or user profile, the access gateway can determine the list (e.g.,retrieve a stored list of network applications matched with the userprofile and/or the identity of the user). The list can correspond to alist of network applications sanctioned for the user. The access gatewaycan send the list to the client application or embedded browser, whichcan be presented via the client application or embedded browser to theuser (e.g., in a storefront user interface) for selection.

In operation (3), the user can initiate connection to a sanctionednetwork application (e.g., a SaaS application), by selecting from thelist of network applications presented to the user. For example, theuser can click on an icon or other representation of the sanctionednetwork application, displayed via the client application or embeddedbrowser. This user action can trigger the CEB to transmit a connectionor access request to a server that provisions the network application.The request can include a request to the server (e.g., SaaS provider) tocommunicate with the access gateway to authenticate the user. The servercan send a request to the access gateway to authenticate the user forexample.

In operation (4), the access gateway can perform SSO with the server, toauthenticate the user. For example, in response to the server's requestto authenticate the user, the access gateway can provide credentials ofthe user to the server(s) 430 for SSO, to access the selected networkapplication and/or other sanctioned network applications. In operation(5), the user can log into the selected network application, based onthe SSO (e.g., using the credentials). The client application (e.g., thenetworking agent 412 and/or the remote session agent 416) can establisha secure connection and session with the server(s) 430 to access theselected network application. The CEB can decrypt application trafficreceived via the secure connection. The CEB can monitor traffic sent viathe CEB and the secured connection to the servers 430.

In operation (6), the client application can provide information to theanalytics services 424 of cloud services 408, for analytics processing.For example, the cloud services agent 414 of the client application 404can monitor for or capture user interaction events with the selectednetwork application. The cloud services agent 414 can convey the userinteraction events to the analytics services 424, to be processed toproduce analytics.

FIG. 5 depicts an example embodiment of a system for using a securebrowser. In brief overview, the system includes cloud services 408,network applications 406 and client device 402. In some embodiments,various elements of the system are similar to that described above forFIG. 4, but that the client application (with embedded browser) is notavailable in the client device 402. A standard or typical browser may beavailable on the client device, from which a user can initiate a requestto access a sanctioned network application for instance. A networkapplication can be specified as being sanctioned or unsanctioned viapolicies that can be set by an administrator or automatically (e.g., viaartificial intelligence).

For example, in operation (1), the user may log into the networkapplication using the standard browser. For accessing a sanctionednetwork application, the user may access a predefined URL and/orcorresponding webpage of a server that provisions the networkapplication, via the standard browser, to initiate a request to accessthe network application. In some embodiments, the request can beforwarded to or intercepted by a designated gateway service (e.g., in adata path of the request). For example, the gateway service can resideon the client device (e.g., as an executable program), or can reside ona network device 432 of the cloud services 408 for instance. In someembodiments, the access gateway can correspond to or include the gatewayservice. The gateway service can determine if the requested networkapplication is a sanctioned network application. The gateway service candetermine if a CEB initiated the request. The gateway service can detector otherwise determine that the request is initiated from a source(e.g., initiated by the standard browser) in the client device otherthan a CEB. In some embodiments, there is no requirement for adesignated gateway service to detect or determine if the request isinitiated from a CEB, for example if the requested network applicationis sanctioned, that user is initiating the request via a standardbrowser, and/or that the predefined URL and/or corresponding webpage isaccessed.

In operation (2), the server may authenticate the user via the accessgateway of the cloud services 408. The server may communicate with theaccess gateway to authenticate the user, in response to the request. Forinstance, the request can include an indication to the server tocommunicate with the access gateway to authenticate the user. In someembodiments, the server is pre-configured to communicate with the accessgateway to authenticate the user, for requests to access a sanctionednetwork application. The server may send a request to the access gatewayto authenticate the user. In response to the server's request toauthenticate the user, the access gateway can provide credentials of theuser to the server 430.

In operation (3), the gateway service and/or the server can direct (orredirect) all traffic to a secure browser 420 which provides a securebrowsing service. This may be in response to at least one of: adetermination that the requested network application is a sanctionednetwork application, a determination that the request is initiated froma source other than a CEB, a determination that the requested networkapplication is sanctioned, a determination that user is initiating therequest via a standard browser, and/or a determination that thepredefined URL and/or corresponding webpage is accessed.

The user's URL session can be redirected to the secure browser. Forexample, the server, gateway service and/or the access gateway cangenerate and/or send a URL redirect message to the standard browser,responsive to the determination. The secure browser plug-in of thestandard browser can receive the URL redirect message, and can forexample send a request to access the non-sanctioned network application,to the secure browser 420. The secure browser 420 can direct the requestto the server of the non-sanctioned network application. The URLredirect message can instruct the standard browser (and/or the securebrowser plug-in) to direct traffic (e.g., destined for the networkapplication) from the standard browser to the secure browser 420 hostedon a network device. This can provide clientless access and control viadynamic routing though a secure browser service. In some embodiments, aredirection of all traffic to the secure browser 420 is initiated orconfigured, prior to performing authentication of the user (e.g., usingSSO) with the server.

In some embodiments, the gateway service can direct or request theserver of the requested network application to communicate with thesecure browser 420. For example, the gateway service can direct theserver and/or the secure browser to establish a secured connectionbetween the server and the secure browser, for establishing anapplication session for the network application.

In some embodiments, the secured browser 420 comprises a browser that ishosted on a network device 432 of the cloud services 408. The securedbrowser 420 can include one or more features of the secured browser 420described above in connection with at least FIG. 4 for instance. Thehosted browser can include an embedded browser of a CEB that is hostedon the network device 432 instead of on the client device. The hostedbrowser can include an embedded browser of a hosted virtualized versionof the CEB that is hosted on the network device 432. Similar to the CEBinstalled on the client device, traffic is routed through the CEB hostedon the network device, which allows an administrator to have visibilityof the traffic through the CEB and to remain in control for securitypolicy control, analytics, and/or management of performance.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example implementation for browser redirectionusing a secure browser plug-in. In brief overview, the implementationincludes a web browser 512 with a secure browser plug-in 516 operatingon a client device, and a hosted web browser (or secure browser) 522residing on a network device. The web browser 512 can correspond to astandard browser, instead of an embedded browser as discussed above inconnection with FIG. 4 for example. The secure browser plug-in 516 canexecute within a first network 510 and access a server 430 in a secondnetwork 530. The first network 510 and the second network 530 are forillustration purposes and may be replaced with fewer or additionalcomputer networks. A secure browser plug-in 516 can be installed on thestandard browser 512. The plug-in can include one or more components.One such component can include an ActiveX control or Java control or anyother type and/or form of executable instructions capable of loadinginto and executing in the standard browser. For example, the standardbrowser can load and run an Active X control of the secure browserplug-in 516, in a memory space or context of the standard browser. Insome embodiments, the secure browser plug-in can be installed as anextension on the standard browser, and a user can choose to enable ordisable the plugin or extension. The secure browser plug-in cancommunicate and/or operate with the secured browser 420 for securing,using and/or accessing resources within the secured portion of thedigital workspace.

By using the secure browser plug-in 516 operating within the standardbrowser 512 network applications accessed via the standard browser 512can be redirected to a hosted secure browser. For instance, the securebrowser plug-in 516 can be implemented and/or designed to detect that anetwork application is being accessed via the standard browser, and candirect/redirect traffic from the client device associated with thenetwork application, to the hosted secure browser. The hosted securebrowser can direct traffic received from the network application, to thesecure browser plug-in 516 and/or a client agent 514 for renderingand/or display for example. The client agent 514 can execute within theweb browser 512 and/or the secure browser plug-in, and can includecertain elements or features of the client application 404 discussedabove in connection with at least FIG. 4 for example. For instance, theclient agent 514 can include a remote session agent 416 for renderingthe network application at the web browser 512. In some embodiments, thenetwork application is rendered at the hosted secure browser, and therendered data is conveyed or mirrored to the secure browser plug-in 516and/or the client agent 514 for processing and/or display.

By way of an example, a user may be working remotely and may want toaccess a network application that is internal to a secure corporatenetwork while the user is working on a computing device connected to anunsecure network. In this case, the user may be utilizing the standardbrowser 512 executing in the first network 510, in which the firstnetwork 510 may comprise an unsecure network. The server 430 that theuser wants to access may be on the second network 530, in which thesecond network 530 comprises a secure corporate network for instance.The user might not be able to access the server 430 from the unsecurefirst network 510 by clicking on an internal uniform record locator(URL) for the secure website 532. That is, the user may need to utilizea different URL (e.g., an external URL) while executing the standardbrowser 512 from the external unsecure network 510. The external URL maybe directed to or may address one or more hosted web browsers 522configured to access server(s) 430 within the second network 530 (e.g.,secure network). To maintain secure access, the secure browser plug-in516 may redirect an internal URL to an external URL for a hosted securebrowser.

The secure browser plug-in 516 may be able to implement networkdetection in order to identify whether or not to redirect internal URLsto external URLs. The standard browser 512 may receive a requestcomprising an internal URL for a web site executing within the securenetwork. For example, the standard browser 512 may receive the requestin response to a user entering a web address (e.g., for secure website532) in the standard browser. The secure browser plug-in 516 mayredirect the user web browser application 512 from the internal URL toan external URL for a hosted web browser application. For example, thesecure browser plug-in 516 may replace the internal URL with an externalURL for the hosted web browser application 522 executing within thesecure network 530.

The secure browser plug-in 516 may allow the client agent 514 to beconnected to the hosted web browser application 522. The client agent514 may comprise a plug-in component, such as an ActiveX control or Javacontrol or any other type and/or form of executable instructions capableof loading into and executing in the standard browser 512. For example,the client agent 514 may comprise an ActiveX control loaded and run by astandard browser 512, such as in the memory space or context of the userweb browser application 512. The client agent 514 may be pre-configuredto present the content of the hosted web browser application 522 withinthe user web browser application 512.

The client agent 514 may connect to a server or the cloud/hosted webbrowser service 520 using a thin-client or remote-display protocol topresent display output generated by the hosted web browser application522 executing on the service 520. The thin-client or remote-displayprotocol can be any one of the following non-exhaustive list ofprotocols: the Independent Computing Architecture (ICA) protocoldeveloped by Citrix Systems, Inc. of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; or the RemoteDesktop Protocol (RDP) manufactured by the Microsoft Corporation ofRedmond, Wash.

The hosted web browser application 522 may navigate to the requestednetwork application in full-screen mode, and can render the requestednetwork application. The client agent 514 may present the content orrendition of the network application on the web browser application 512in a seamless and transparent manner such that it appears that thecontent is being displayed by the standard browser 512, e.g., based onthe content being displayed in full screen mode. In other words, theuser may be given the impression that the website content is displayedby the user web browser application 512 and not by the hosted webbrowser application 522. The client agent 514 may transmit navigationcommands generated by the user web browser application 512 to the hostedweb browser application 522 using the thin-client or remote-displayprotocol. Changes to the display output of the hosted web browserapplication 522, due to the navigation commands, may be reflected in theuser web browser application 512 by the client agent 514, giving theimpression to the user that the navigation commands were executed by theuser web browser application 512.

Referring again to FIG. 5, and in operation (4), a new browser tab canopen on the standard browser, to render or display the secure browsersession. The new browser tab can be established or opened by the securebrowser plug-in for instance. The secure browser plug-in and/or a clientagent can receive data from the secure browser session, and can renderthe network application within the new browser tab as discussed above inconnection with FIG. 6 for instance.

In operation (5), the secure browser can feed all user interactionevents via the network application, back to analytics service forprocessing. The secure browser plug-in can monitor for and intercept anyuser interaction events directed to the rendition of the networkapplication within the browser tab. Hence, a user can use a native (orstandard) browser to access a network application while allowingvisibility into the network application's traffic, via theinteroperation of cloud services and a secure browser (in the absence ofthe client application).

FIG. 7 depicts another example embodiment of a system of using a securebrowser. In brief overview, the system includes cloud services 408,network applications 406 and the client device 402. In some embodiments,various elements of the system are similar to that described above forFIG. 5. A client application with embedded browser is not available inthe client device 402. A standard or typical (e.g., HTML5) browser isavailable on the client device, from which a user can initiate a requestto access a non-sanctioned network application. A network applicationcan be specified as being sanctioned or non-sanctioned via policies thatcan be set by an administrator or automatically (e.g., via artificialintelligence).

In operation (1), the user may attempt to log into a non-sanctionednetwork application using the standard browser. The user may attempt toaccess a webpage of a server that provisions the network application,and to initiate a request to access the network application. In someembodiments, the request can be forwarded to or intercepted by adesignated gateway service (e.g., in a data path of the request). Forexample, the gateway service (sometimes referred to as SWG) can resideon the client device (e.g., as an executable program), or can reside ona network device 432 of the cloud services 408 for instance. The gatewayservice can detect or otherwise determine if the requested networkapplication is a sanctioned network application. The gateway service candetermine if a CEB initiated the request. The gateway service can detector otherwise determine that the request is initiated from a source(e.g., initiated by the standard browser) in the client device otherthan a CEB.

In operation (2), the gateway service detects that the requested networkapplication is a non-sanctioned network application. The gateway servicecan for instance extract information from the request (e.g., destinationaddress, name of the requested network application), and compare theinformation against that from a database of sanctioned and/ornon-sanctioned network applications. The gateway service can determine,based on the comparison, that the requested network application is anon-sanctioned network application.

In operation (3), responsive to the determination, the gateway servicecan block access to the requested network application, e.g., by blockingthe request. The gateway service can generate and/or send a URL redirectmessage to the standard browser, responsive to the determination. TheURL redirect message can be similar to a URL redirect message sent fromthe server to the standard browser in FIG. 5 in operation (3). A securebrowser plug-in of the standard browser can receive the URL redirectmessage, and can for example send a request to access the non-sanctionednetwork application, to the secure browser 420. The secure browser 420can direct the request to the server of the non-sanctioned networkapplication.

The server of the non-sanctioned network application may authenticatethe user via the access gateway of the cloud services 408, e.g.,responsive to receiving the request from the secure browser. The servermay communicate with the access gateway to authenticate the user, inresponse to the request. The server may send a request to the accessgateway to authenticate the user. In response to the server's request toauthenticate the user, the access gateway can provide credentials of theuser to the server 430. Upon authentication, the secure browser (or acorresponding CEB) can establish a secured connection and an applicationsession with the server.

In operation (4), a new browser tab can open on the standard browser, torender or display the secure browser's application session. The newbrowser tab can be established or opened by the secure browser plug-infor instance. The secure browser plug-in and/or a client agent canreceive data from the secure browser session, and can render the networkapplication within the new browser tab as discussed above in connectionwith FIGS. 5-6 for instance.

In operation (5), the secure browser can feed all user interactionevents via the network application, back to analytics service forprocessing. The secure browser plug-in can monitor for and intercept anyuser interaction events directed to the rendition of the networkapplication within the browser tab. Hence, a user can use a native (orstandard) browser to access a network application while allowingvisibility into the network application's traffic, via theinteroperation of cloud services and a secure browser (in the absence ofthe client application).

In some embodiments, in the absence or non-availability of a CEB on theclient device, browser redirection is performed so that each requestednetwork application is accessed via a corresponding hosted securebrowser (or hosted CEB) for handling, instead of having all trafficredirected through a single hosted secure browser (or hosted CEB). Eachdedicated secure browser can provide compartmentalization and improvedsecurity.

The use of a CEB, whether hosted or local to the client device, canallow for end-to-end visibility of application traffic for analytics,service level agreement (SLA), resource utilization, audit, and so on.In addition to such visibility, the CEB can be configured with policiesfor managing and controlling any of these as well as other aspects. Forexample, DLP features can be supported, to control “copy and paste”activities, download of files, sharing of files, and to implementwatermarking for instance. As another example, the CEB can be configuredwith policies for managing and controlling access to local drives and/ordevice resources such as peripherals.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an example embodiment of a system for usinglocal embedded browser(s) and hosted secured browser(s) is depicted. Anenvironment is shown where different types of client devices 402A, 402Bmay be used (e.g., in a BYOD context), such that one may be locallyequipped with a suitable CEB, and another client device may not have asuitable local CEB installed. In such an environment, systems describedin FIGS. 4, 5 and 7 can be used to support each of the client devicesbased on the availability of a locally installed and suitable CEB.

FIG. 9 depicts an example process flow for using local embeddedbrowser(s) and hosted secured browser(s). The process flow can be usedin the environment described above in FIG. 8, to determine whether anembedded browser or a hosted secured browser should be used for eachclient device to access a network application. For example, in operation901, a HTTP client can attempt to access a web service (e.g., server ofa network application). In operation 903, the web service can redirectthe HTTP client to a gateway service for authentication. In operation905, the gateway service can determine if the HTTP client is a CEB. Ifso, in operation 909, the gateway service can determine if the CEB is asuitable CEB, e.g., capable of enforcing defined application policies.If so, in operation 911, the CEB is allowed access to the web service,and can enforce the defined policies.

If the gateway service determines that the HTTP client is not a CEB, thegateway service can cause a virtualized version of a CEB to beinitialized and hosted on a remote server (e.g., a network device 432 ofcloud services 408), in operation 907. In some embodiments, such ahosted CEB may already be available on a network device 432, and can beselected for use. For example in operation 911, the CEB is allowedaccess to the web service, and can enforce the defined policies.

If the gateway service determines that the HTTP client is a CEB, butthat the CEB is not a suitable CEB, the gateway service can cause avirtualized version of a CEB to be initialized and hosted on a remoteserver (e.g., a network device 432 of cloud services 408), in operation907. In some embodiments, such a hosted CEB may already be available ona network device 432, and can be selected for use. For example inoperation 911, the CEB is allowed access to the web service, and canenforce the defined policies.

In some embodiments, if the user is requesting access to a webapplication located in a company data center, the gateway service (incloud service or on premise) can allow access when the clientapplication with CEB is detected. Otherwise, the request can be routedto a service with the hosted virtualized version of the CEB, and thenaccess is authenticated and granted.

At operation 905 and/or operation 909 for instance, the decisions madeon whether the HTTP client is a CEB and whether it is a suitable CEB maybe determined by a number of factors. For example, to determine if theHTTP client is CEB, the gateway service may take into account factors,for example including at least one of: user Identity and strength ofauthentication, client Location, client IP Address, how trusted the useridentity, client location, client IP are, jailbreak status of the clientdevice, status of anti-malware software, compliance to corporate policyof the client device, and/or remote attestation or other evidence ofintegrity of the client software.

To determine if the CEB is able to honor or support all definedapplication policies (which may vary by client version, client OSplatform and other factors), the client device's software and gatewayservice may perform capability negotiation and/or exchange versioninformation. In some embodiments, the gateway service can query or checka version number or identifier of the CEB to determine if the CEB is asuitable CEB to use.

Driving all the traffic though the CEB then allows additional control ofcontent accessing SaaS and Web based systems. Data Loss Prevention (DLP)of SaaS and Web traffic can be applied through the CEB app with featuresincluding copy and paste control to other CEB access applications or ITmanaged devices. DLP can also be enforced by enabling content to bedownloaded only to designated file servers or services under IT control.

Referring now to FIG. 10, depicted is an example embodiment of a systemfor managing user access to webpages. Some webpages (or websites) areknown to be safe while others may be suspect. A user may access awebpage via a corresponding URL through a standard browser. For example,the user may click on a link corresponding to the URL, which may beincluded in an email being viewed using a mail application. An accessgateway (SWG) may intercept an access request generated by the clickingof the link, and can determine if the corresponding URL is safe orsuspect. If the URL is known to be safe, the access gateway can allowthe request to proceed to the corresponding website or web server. Ifthe URL is suspect, the access gateway can redirect the request to behandled via a hosted secure browser. The secure browser can requestaccess for, and access the webpage (on behalf of the standard browser),and can allow the webpage information to be conveyed to the standardbrowser, similar to the handling of a network application via browserredirection as discussed in connection with at least FIGS. 7 and 5.

C. Systems and Methods for Aggregating Skills Provided by a Plurality ofDigital Assistants

Systems and methods described herein provide aggregating skills providedand/or performed by a plurality of digital assistants, including localdigital assistants, one or more third party digital assistants and/orone or more remote digital assistants. For example, a skill agent can begenerated that aggregates the skills of the local digital assistant andthe skills of the third party digital assistants to perform and/orcomplete various functions or tasks for a user of a device or multipledevices associated with a user.

In embodiments, digital assistants can provide various ways and methodsto increase productivity of users by performing various tasks for theuser or retrieving content for the user. However, each of the differentdigital assistants may perform different tasks and/or generate differentcontent. Thus, a user may be required to interact with each of thedigital assistants individually to retrieve content. For example, thedevice the user is actively interacting with may establish individualsessions or connections to third party servers or remote servers tointeract with the respective digital assistant. Each of the individualsessions or connections can require separate processing resources andcomputing resources of the respective device to retrieve the content forthe user. In some embodiments, devices (e.g., mobile devices) havefinite memory, processing power and power and the multiple connectionsto different digital assistants can adversely affect the device'sperformance and battery life as well as the overall user experience. Assuch, content management systems should utilize appropriate resourcemanagement policies

The systems and methods provided herein can provide a skill agent toprovide a single interface or component for a user to retrieve contentfrom multiple digital assistants and reduce the number of connections todifferent digital assistants to retrieve the same content. The skillagent can aggregate skills provided by a local assistant of the deviceor server the user is interacting with and skills provided by one ormore third party digital assistants and/or one or more remote digitalassistants into a single interface for the user. In embodiments, theskill agent can provide a centralized system to allow for more efficientuse a device's resources and the respective users time, improving theoverall user experience.

Referring now to FIG. 11, depicted is a block diagram of a system 1100for aggregating skills for a plurality of digital assistants. The system1100 can include a server 1102 to generate a skill agent 1120aggregating skills for a plurality of digital assistants, including atleast one local digital assistant 1112 and one or more third partydigital assistants 1142. The server 1102 can include one or moreprocessors 1104 coupled to a memory 1106. The processor 1104 can includeor be coupled to a non-volatile memory 1106 that stores computerinstructions and an operating system. For example, the computerinstructions can be executed by the processor 1104 out of volatilememory 1106 to perform all or part of the method 1200. The server 1102can include or execute policies 1108 or rules to generate a skill agent1120. In embodiments, the policies 1108 can include rules and/orinstructions for identifying at least one digital assistant to generatecontent 1114 for a request 1136 or otherwise execute a task associatedwith a request 1136. In some embodiments, the policies 1108 can includeinstructions for balancing load, bandwidth data, usage data and/ortraffic routing data within a network 1170.

The server 1102 can be implemented using hardware or a combination ofsoftware and hardware. For example, each component of the server 1102can include logical circuitry (e.g., a central processing unit or CPU)that responses to and processes instructions fetched from a memory unit(e.g., memory 1106). Each component of the server 1102 can include oruse a microprocessor or a multi-core processor. A multi-core processorcan include two or more processing units on a single computingcomponent. Each component of the server 1102 can be based on any ofthese processors, or any other processor capable of operating asdescribed herein. Each processor can utilize instruction levelparallelism, thread level parallelism, different levels of cache, etc.For example, the server 1102 can include at least one logic device suchas a computing device or server having at least one processor tocommunicate via a network 1170. The components and elements of theserver 1102 can be separate components or a single component. Forexample, the server 1102 can include combinations of hardware andsoftware, such as one or more processors configured to initiate stopcommands, initiate motion commands, and transmit or receive timing data,for example. The server 1102 can include a structured set of data. Forexample, the server 1102 can include and/or store a plurality of skills1122, weighted scores 1124, and/or content 1114. The server 1102 caninclude a memory component (e.g., memory 1106) to store and retrievedata. The memory 1106 can include a random access memory (RAM) or otherdynamic storage device, coupled with the server 1102 for storinginformation, and instructions to be executed by the server 1102. Thememory 1106 can include at least one read only memory (ROM) or otherstatic storage device coupled with the server 1102 for storing staticinformation and instructions for the server 1102. The memory 1106 caninclude a storage device, such as a solid state device, magnetic disk oroptical disk, coupled with the server 1102 to persistently storeinformation and instructions.

The server 1102 can include an assistant manager 1110 to identify alocal digital assistant 1112 and/or a third party digital assistant 1142for a particular request 1136. In embodiments, the assistant manager1110 can identify one or more skills 1122 and/or functions performed bya local digital assistant 1112 and/or a third party digital assistant1142 and update the skill agent 1120 with the identified skills 1122.The assistant manager 1110 can be implemented using hardware or acombination of software and hardware. For example, the assistant manager1110 can include logical circuitry (e.g., a central processing unit orCPU) that responses to and processes instructions fetched from a memoryunit (e.g., memory 1106). The assistant manager 1110 can include or usea microprocessor or a multi-core processor. A multi-core processor caninclude two or more processing units on a single computing component.The assistant manager 1110 can include or can be based on any of theseprocessors, or any other processor capable of operating as describedherein. Each processor can utilize instruction level parallelism, threadlevel parallelism, different levels of cache, etc. For example, theassistant manager 1110 can include at least one logic device such as acomputing device or server having at least one processor to communicatevia a network 1170. The components and elements of the assistant manager1110 can be separate components or a single component. For example, theassistant manager 1110 can include combinations of hardware andsoftware, such as one or more processors configured to initiate stopcommands, initiate motion commands, and transmit or receive timing data,for example. The assistant manager 1110 can include a structured set ofdata, for example, skills 1122 and content 1114.

The server 1102 can include a local digital assistant 1112 or execute alocal digital assistant 1112 for a device 1130. The local digitalassistant 1112 can include software, hardware or a combination ofsoftware and hardware. The local digital assistant 1112 can include anapplication, a program, a software agent, a set of instructions, and/ora subroutine to execute or complete tasks for at least one request 1136.In embodiments, the local digital assistant 1112 as described herein caninclude a virtual assistant, intelligent personal assistant and/or anartificial intelligence (AI) assistant. In embodiments, the localdigital assistant 1112 can generate and/or retrieve content 1114. Thecontent 1114 can include any data or information generated by and/orretrieved by a local digital assistant 1112 or a third party digitalassistant 1142, for example, in response to a request 1136. The content1114 can include any functions or tasks performed by a local digitalassistant 1112 or a third party digital assistant 1142, for example, inresponse to a request 1136. The content 1114 can include, but notlimited to, weather information, music information, videos, alarms,and/or vendor information (e.g., commerce information). In someembodiments, the local digital assistant 1112 can be configured toreceive and response to commands, text commands, audio commands (e.g.,voice commands), text commands and/or signals. In some embodiments, thelocal assistant 1112 can be executing on the device 1130. The localdigital assistant 1112 can be the same as or substantially similar tothe third party assistants 1142 executing on a third party server 1140.

The skill agent 1120 can include a set of instructions or subroutine toprocess requests 1136 and identify one or more skills 1122 to executethe respective request 1136 or generate content 1114 corresponding tothe respective request 1136. The skills 1122 can include, but notlimited to, functions, operations and/or operations performed orprovided by a computing device, a digital assistant, and/or a softwareagent. In some embodiments, the skills 1122 can include, but limited to,content, data, and information generated or provided a computing device,a digital assistant, and/or a software agent. The skill agent 1120 caninclude a set of instructions or subroutine to process identify at leastone local assistant 1112 or third party digital assistant 1142 toexecute a request 1136 or generate content 1114 corresponding to arequest 1136. The skill agent 1120 can be implemented using hardware ora combination of software and hardware. For example, the skill agent1120 can include logical circuitry (e.g., a central processing unit orCPU) that responses to and processes instructions fetched from a memoryunit (e.g., memory 1106). The skill agent 1120 can include or use amicroprocessor or a multi-core processor. A multi-core processor caninclude two or more processing units on a single computing component. Insome embodiments, the skill agent 1120 can include an algorithmconfigured to receive a set of inputs (e.g., requests 1136, skills 1122)and identify one or more skills 1122, one or more local digitalassistants 1112, and/or one or more third party digital assistants 1142to execute a request 1136 or generate content 1114 for a request 1136.For example, the skill agent 1120 can include one or more processors andinclude a set of instructions that when executed, the set ofinstructions cause the skill agent 1120 to identify one or more skills1122, one or more local digital assistants 1112, and/or one or morethird party digital assistants 1142 to execute a request 1136 orgenerate content 1114 for a request 1136. In embodiments, the server1102 can dynamically execute or use the skill agent 1120 identify one ormore skills 1122, one or more local digital assistants 1112, and/or oneor more third party digital assistants 1142 to execute a request 1136 orgenerate content 1114 for a request 1136. In embodiments, the server1102 can dynamically update or modify the skill agent 1120 responsive tocompleting at least one request 1136.

The server 1102 can generate weighted scores 1124. In some embodiments,the server 1102 can generate the weighted scores 1124 determined using amachine learning algorithm trained on a set of previous requests 1136and content 1114. The weighted scores 1124 can be generated for a localdigital assistant 1112 and/or a third party digital assistant 1142responsive to the local digital assistant 1112 and/or the third partydigital assistant 1142 generating content 1114 for a request 1136 orexecuting a request 1136. The weighted score 1124 can correspond to avalue or rating indicating if the respective local digital assistant1112 and/or third party digital assistant 1142 generated the correctcontent 1114 for a request 1136 or executing a request 1136 correctly.For example, a local digital assistant 1112 and/or third party digitalassistant 1142 can be assigned a first weighted score 1124 for content1114 that is correct. A local digital assistant 1112 and/or third partydigital assistant 1142 can be assigned a second weighted score 1124 forcontent 1114 that is partially correct. For example, in someembodiments, if a request 1136 includes content 1114 that includesmultiple components or portions. The content 1114 can be partiallycorrect when one or more components or portions are correct and one ormore components or portions are incorrect. A local digital assistant1112 and/or third party digital assistant 1142 can be assigned a thirdweight score 1124 for content 1114 that is incorrect.

Correct content 1114 can be determined by the server 1102 by comparingcontent 1114 generated for previous requests 1136. For example, if thecontent 1114 for a recent or new request 1136 matches with content 1114generated for a previous request 1136, the content 1114 can be indicatedas correct. If the content 1114 for a recent or new request 1136 doesnot match (e.g., same content) with content 1114 generated for aprevious request 1136, the content 1114 can be indicated as incorrect.In some embodiments, correct content 1114 can be determined by theserver 1102 based in part on feedback from a user of a device 1130. Forexample, if a subsequent or follow-up request 1136 is initiated by thedevice 1130 responsive to receiving the content 1114 for an initial orfirst request 1136 by comparing content 1114 generated for previousrequests 1136 and the subsequent or follow-up request 1136 is the sameare the initial or first request 1136, the server 1102 can determine thecontent 1114 is incorrect.

The server 1102 can include a content monitor 1118. The content monitor1118 can track tracking the content 1114 generated by a local digitalassistant 1112 and/or a third party digital assistant 1142. The contentmonitor 1118 can generate weighted scores 1124 for content 1114responsive to a local digital assistant 1112 and/or a third partydigital assistant 1142 generating, providing or retrieving therespective content 1114. In some embodiments, the content monitor 1118can update the skill agent 1120 to indicate which local digitalassistant 1112 and/or third party digital assistant 1142 generatedcontent 1114. The content monitor 1118 can provide and update the skillagent 1120 with weighted scores 1124 assigned to a local digitalassistant 1112 and/or third party digital assistant 1142.

The device 1130 can include a client device, such as, but not limited toa computing device or a mobile device. One or more devices 1130 cancouple with the server 1102 through network 1170. The devices 1130 caninclude or correspond to an instance of any client device, mobile deviceor computer device described herein. For example, the devices 1130 canbe the same as or substantially similar to computer 101 of FIG. 1. Thedevice 1130 can include a browser 1134 for requesting or retrievingcontent 1114 from or through server 1102. For example, the device 1130with the browser 1134 (e.g., embedded browser (CEB)) can include a CEB.The browser 1134 can include elements and functionalities of a webbrowser application or engine. The browser 1134 can locally render oneor more of client applications 1132 as a component or extension ofsystems of the device 1130. For example, the browser 1134 can render aSaaS/Web application inside the CEB which can provide the CEB with fullvisibility and control of at least one session 1160 executing on device1130. The device 1130 can couple with the server 1102 and/or the remoteservers 1140 to request or retrieve content 1114 from a local digitalassistant 1112 and/or a third party digital assistant 1142. Inembodiments, the client application 1132 can include the embeddedbrowser 1134 integrated into the client application 1132 to accessserver 1102 and/or one or more remote servers 1140. The embedded browser1134 may be the same as or substantially similar to embedded browser 410described above with respect to FIG. 4.

The devices 1130 can establish one or more sessions 1160 to the server1102 and/or at least one remote server 1140. The sessions 1160 mayinclude, but not limited to, an application session, an executionsession, a desktop session, a hosted desktop session, a terminalservices session, a browser session, a remote desktop session, a URLsession and a remote application session. The sessions 1160 may includeencrypted and/or secure sessions established between a device 1130 andthe server 1102 and/or at least one application server 1140. Forexample, the session 1160 may include an encrypted session and/or asecure session established between a device 1130 and the server 1102and/or at least one application server 1140. The encrypted session 1160can include an encrypted file, encrypted data or traffic transmittedbetween a device 1130 and the server 1102 and/or at least oneapplication server 1140.

The servers 1140 can correspond to a remote or third party server. Theservers 1140 can include, provide or host at least one third partydigital assistant 1142 (e.g., remote from server 1102). The servers 1140can be implemented using hardware or a combination of software andhardware. For example, each component of the servers 1140 can includelogical circuitry (e.g., a central processing unit or CPU) thatresponses to and processes instructions fetched from a memory unit. Eachcomponent of the servers 1140 can include or use a microprocessor or amulti-core processor. A multi-core processor can include two or moreprocessing units on a single computing component. Each component of theservers 1140 can be based on any of these processors, or any otherprocessor capable of operating as described herein. Each processor canutilize instruction level parallelism, thread level parallelism,different levels of cache, etc. For example, the servers 1140 caninclude at least one logic device such as a computing device or serverhaving at least one processor to communicate via a network 1170. Theservers 1140 can establish at least one session to at least one device1130 to provide content 1114 from a third party digital assistant 1142.

The third party digital assistant 1142 can be the same as orsubstantially similar to local digital assistant 1112. For example, thethird party digital assistant 1142 can include software, hardware or acombination of software and hardware. The third party digital assistant1142 can include an application, a program, a software agent, a set ofinstructions, and/or a subroutine to execute or complete tasks for atleast one request 1136. In embodiments, the third party digitalassistant 1142 as described herein can include a virtual assistant,intelligent personal assistant and/or an artificial intelligence (AI)assistant. In embodiments, the third party digital assistant 1142 cangenerate and/or retrieve content 1114.

Network 1170 may be a public network, such as a wide area network (WAN)or the Internet. In some embodiments, network 1170 may be a privatenetwork such as a local area network (LAN) or a company Intranet.Network 1170 may be a public network, such as a wide area network (WAN)or the Internet. Network 1170 may employ one or more types of physicalnetworks and/or network topologies, such as wired and/or wirelessnetworks, and may employ one or more communication transport protocols,such as transmission control protocol (TCP), internet protocol (IP),user datagram protocol (UDP) or other similar protocols. In someembodiments, devices 1130, server 1102, application servers 1140 anddesktops may be on the same network 1170. In some embodiments, devices1130, server 1102, application servers 1140 and desktops may be on oneor more different networks 1170. The network 1170 can include a virtualprivate network (VPN). The VPN can include one or more encryptedsessions 1160 from at least one device 1130 to the server 1102, at leastone application server 1140 and/or at least one desktop over network1170 (e.g., internet, corporate network, private network).

Each of the above-mentioned elements or entities is implemented inhardware, or a combination of hardware and software, in one or moreembodiments. Each component of the server 1102 may be implemented usinghardware or a combination of hardware or software detailed above inconnection with FIG. 1-10. For instance, each of these elements orentities can include any application, program, library, script, task,service, process or any type and form of executable instructionsexecuting on hardware of a client device (e.g., device 1130). Thehardware includes circuitry such as one or more processors in one ormore embodiments.

Referring now to FIGS. 12A-12C, depicted is a flow diagram of oneembodiment of a method 1200 for aggregating skills provided by aplurality of digital assistants. The functionalities of the method 1200may be implemented using, or performed by, the components detailedherein in connection with FIGS. 1-11.

In brief overview, assistants can be identified (1205). Skills can beidentified (1210). A skill agent can be generated (1215). A session canbe established (1220). A request can be received (1225). Skills can bedetermined for a request (1230). An assistant can be selected using theskill agent (1235). A request can be provided to the assistant (1240).The assistant can generate content (1245). Content can be provided to aserver (1250). A determination can be made if the request is complete(1255). If the request is not complete, the missing content can bedetermined (1260). The method 1200 can return to operation 1230 (1265).If the request is complete, a response can be generated (1270). Thecontent can be tracked (1275). A weighted score can be generated (1280).The skill agent can be updated (1285).

Referring now to operation (1205), and in some embodiments, assistantscan be identified. In embodiments, a server 1102 can identify one ormore digital assistants 1112, 1142. The server 1102 can identify atleast one local digital assistant 1112 provided by the server 1102 or adevice 1130 (e.g., client device 1130). For example, the server 1102 canconnect with the device 1130 to determine the local digital assistants1112 provided by the respective device 1130. The server 1102 cantransmit a request to the device 1130 requesting data on the localdigital assistants 1112 provided by the respective device 1130. Thedevice 1130 can generate a response indicating or including anidentifier for the local digital assistants 1112 provided by therespective device 1130.

The server 1102 can identify one or more third party digital assistants1142 provided by one or more remote servers 1140 (e.g., remote fromserver 1102). For example, the server 1102 can connect with the remoteservers 1140 to determine the third party digital assistants 1142provided by the respective remote server 1140. In some embodiments, theserver 1102 can transmit a request to the remote servers 1140 requestingdata on the third party digital assistants 1142 provided by therespective remote server 1140. The remote servers 1140 can generate aresponse indicating or including an identifier for the one or more thirdparty digital assistants 1142 provided by the respective remote server1140. In some embodiments, the server 1102 can store and maintain thedata identifying the local digital assistants 1112 provided by one ormore devices 1130 and the one or more third party digital assistants1142 provided by one or more remote servers 1140 in the memory 1106.

In some embodiments, the server 1102 can determine or identify digitalassistants 1112, 1142 for a user of a device 1130 based in part on auser profile. For example, the server 1102 can identify a user profilecorresponding to the user of the device 1130. The user profile caninclude previous requests 1136 generated by the user or the device 1130.The user profile can include skills 1122 used to generate content 1114for the requests 1136. The user profile can include one or more digitalassistants 1112, 1142 that the user has previously interacted with togenerate or retrieve content 1114. In some embodiments, the user profilecan include a frequency value indicating a frequency the user haspreviously interacted with one or more digital assistants 1112, 1142 togenerate or retrieve content 1114. For example, the frequency value canindicate daily, weekly, monthly and/or a total number of times the userhas interacted with the one or more digital assistants 1112, 1142 togenerate or retrieve content 1114. The server 1102 can determine one ormore third party digital assistants 1142 provided by the plurality ofremote servers 1140 based on user profile and the one or more thirdparty digital assistants 1142 provided by the plurality of remoteservers 1140 that the user previously interacted with through the device1130. The server 1102 can include the one or more digital assistants1112, 1142 that the user has previously interacted with through one ormore devices 1130 in the skill agent 1120.

Referring now to operation (1210), and in some embodiments, skills canbe identified. The server 1102 can determine at least one skill 1122 foreach of the digital assistants 1112, 1142. For example, skills 1122 cancorrespond to functions, tasks and/or actions that digital assistants1112, 1142 can be configured to execute. Each of the digital assistants1112, 1142 can be configured to execute at least one skill. In someembodiments, the digital assistants 1112, 1142 can be configured toexecute multiple skills 1122 (e.g., two or more). The server 1102 candetermine from properties of the respective digital assistant 1112,1142, the one or more skills 1122 the respective digital assistant 1112,1142 performs. In some embodiments, the server 1102 can transmit arequest to the device 1130 or remote server 1140 hosting the digitalassistant 1112, 1142 requesting properties of the respective digitalassistants 1112, 1142 the device 1130 or remote server 1140 hosts. Thedevice 1130 and/or remote server 1140 can provide the properties,including the skills 1122 the respective digital assistant 1112, 1142performs. The server 1102 can store and maintain the skill data for thedigital assistants 1112, 1142 in the memory 1106.

In some embodiments, the server 1102 can determine a type of content1114 generated by the digital assistant 1112 provided by the server 1102or device 1130 and the one or more third party digital assistants 1142provided by a plurality of remote servers 1140. For example, the server1102 can determine the content 1114 or types of content 1114 (contentcategories, content classifications) that each digital assistant 1112,1142 of the plurality of digital assistants 1112, 1142 can generate orretrieve. The server 1102 can use the content data to determine oridentify the one or more skills 1122 performed by each digital assistant1112, 1142 of the plurality of digital assistants 1112, 1142.

Referring now to operation (1215), and in some embodiments, a skillagent can be generated. The server 1102 can generate a skill agent 1120.The skill agent 1120 can include a plurality of skills 1122corresponding to skills 1122 performed by a plurality of digitalassistants 1112, 1142. In embodiments, the skill agent 1120 can includeat least one skill 1122 from a digital assistant 1112 provided by theserver 1102 or device 1130 and one or more skills 1122 provided by oneor more third party digital assistants 1142 provided by a plurality ofremote servers 1140.

The server 1102 can generate the skill agent 1120 having a set ofinstructions or subroutine to process requests 1136 and identify one ormore skills 1122 to execute the respective request 1136 or generatecontent 1114 corresponding to the respective request 1136. In someembodiments, the server 1102 can generate the skill agent 1120 having analgorithm configured to receive at least one input, such as but notlimited to, a request 1136, and determine one or more skills 1122 toexecute the request or to generate content 1114 for the request 1136.The server 1102 can generate the skill agent 1120 having an algorithmconfigured to determine at least one digital assistant 1112, 1142 basedin part on an identified skill 1122. The server 1102 can generate theskill agent 1120 to integrate the skills 1122 from one or more localdigital assistants 1112 and one or more third party digital assistants1142 together to provide a single interface for a user of a device 1130to request content 1114. In embodiments, the server 1102 can determinethe one or more skills 1122 performed by the one or more third partydigital assistants 1142 provided by a plurality of remote servers 1140and aggregate, using the skill agent 1120, the skills 1122 performed bythe one or more third party digital assistants 1142 provided by aplurality of remote servers 1140 for at least one desktop session 1160hosted by the device 1130 through the client application 1132. Forexample, responsive to a request for content 1114, the server 1102 canuse the skill agent 1120 to determine an appropriate digital assistant1112, 1142 to retrieve or generate the requested content 1114. Inembodiments, the skill agent 1120 can aggregate the skills 1122 providedby one or more local digital assistants 1112 and one or more third partydigital assistants 1142 to route requests 1136 to the appropriatedigital assistant 1112, 1142.

In embodiments, the server 1102 can group the digital assistants 1112,1142 in the skill agent 1120 into content groups based in part on thetype of content 1114 the respective digital assistants 1112, 1142generate or retrieve. For example, the server 1102 can group, in theskill agent 1120, the digital assistant 1112 provided by the server 1102or device 1130 and the one or more third party digital assistants 1142provided by a plurality of remote servers 1140 into a plurality ofcontent groups (e.g., weather content group, news content group, scorescontent group, email content group) based on the determined type ofcontent 1114. In some embodiments, the server 1102 can group, in theskill agent 1120, the digital assistant 1112 provided by the server 1102or device 1130 and the one or more third party digital assistants 1142provided by a plurality of remote servers 1140 into a plurality ofcontent groups based on the one or more skills 1122 the respectivedigital assistants 1112, 1142 perform. For example, digital assistants1112, 1142 that perform the same or similar skills 1122 can be groupedin the same content groups.

Referring now to operation (1220), and in some embodiments, a sessioncan be established. In embodiments, a session 1160 can be established todevice 1130 from server 1102 and/or at least one remote server 1140through network 1170. In some embodiments, a device 1130 can establishmultiple sessions 1160 to the server 1102 and/or to one or more remoteservers 1140 through network 1170. In embodiments, the multiple sessions1160 can be established in parallel or concurrently with each other fromat least one device 1130 to the server 1102 and/or to one or more remoteservers 1140 through network 1170. The session 1160 can be establishedto the server 1102 and/or to one or more remote servers 1140 through aclient application 1132 executing on the respective device via a browser1134 of the respective device 1130 (e.g., embedded browser).

In some embodiments, the server 1102 can proxy or establish one or moresessions 1160 between at least one device 1130 and at least one remoteserver 1140. The server 1102 can establish a plurality of sessions 1160(e.g., two or more) to the device 1130. The server 1102 can establish atleast one session 1160 to a plurality of devices 1130. The server 1102can establish a plurality of sessions 1160 (e.g., two or more) to aplurality of devices 1130. In some embodiments, the server 1102 canestablish multiple sessions 1160 at the same time between the device1130 and the server 1102 and/or at least one remote server 1140 suchthat the multiple sessions 1160 are executing simultaneously. Thesession 1160 may include, but not limited to, a channel, a connection,an application session, an execution session, a desktop session, ahosted desktop session, a terminal services session, a browser session,a remote desktop session, a URL session and a remote applicationsession. The session 1160 may include encrypted and/or secure sessionsestablished between the device 1130 and the server 1102 and/or at leastone remote server 1140. For example, the session 1160 may include anencrypted session and/or a secure session established between the device1130 and the server 1102 and/or at least one remote server 1140.

Referring now to operation (1225), and in some embodiments, a requestcan be received. For example, the server 1102 can receive at least onerequest 1136 from at least one device 1130. The request 1136 can includea request for content 1114 for a user of the device 1130. The server1102 can receive the request 1136 through a session 1160 to therespective device 1130. The request 1136 can identify one content item1114 or multiple content items 1114. In embodiments, the device 1130 cantransmit multiple requests 1136 with each request 1136 identifyingcontent 1114 for a user of the respective device 1130. In someembodiments, the request 1136 can identify one or more skills 1122corresponding to the content 1114. The request 1136 can identify one ormore digital assistants 1112, 1142 to retrieve or generate the content1114.

In some embodiments, the request 1136 can include a content category orcontent classification indicating a category or subject matterassociated with the request content 1114. For example, in oneembodiment, the request 1136 can be for a local weather forecast and therequest 1136 can include an identifier for weather content categories, alocation or area for the respective weather report and a time frame(e.g., exact day, daily report, weekly report). The content category orcontent classification for a particular request 1136 can vary based atleast in part on the content 1114 requested.

Referring now to operation (1230), and in some embodiments, skills canbe determined for a request. In embodiments, the server 1102 canidentify one or more skills 1122 to generate the content 1114 (e.g.,requested content) included within the request 1136. For example, theserver 1102 can extract the skills 1122 from the request 1136. In someembodiments, the server 1102 can use the skill agent 1120 to identifythe skills 1122. The server 1102 can provide the requested content 1114to the skill agent 1120 and the skill agent 1120 can determine the oneor more skills 1122 needed to retrieve or generate the requested content1114. For example, the skill agent 1120 can compare the requestedcontent 1114 with previous content 1114. Responsive to identifyingmatching previously generated or retrieved content 1114, the server 1102using the skill agent 1120 can determine the one or more skills 1122used to generate or retrieve the previous content 1114.

In some embodiments, the server 1102 can identify the one or more skills1122 based on a content category or content classification includedwithin the request 1136. For example, the server 1102 can determine acontent category or a content classification corresponding to therequested content 1114. The content category (e.g., weather, music,sports scores) or a content classification can be associated with one ormore skills 1122 to generate or retrieve content 1114 in the respectivecategory or classification. The server 1102 can use the determinedcontent category or content classification to identify the one or moreskills 1122 needed to generate or retrieve the requested content 1114.

Referring now to operation (1235), and in some embodiments, an assistantcan be selected using the skill agent. In embodiments, the server 1102can select at least one digital assistant 1112, 1142 for the request1136 based in part on the identified one or more skills 1122. Forexample, the sever 1102 can select, using the skill agent 1120, a firstdigital assistant 1112, 1142 of the plurality of digital assistants1112, 1142 to handle the request 1136 based on the identified one ormore skills 1122 to generate or retrieve the requested content 1114.

The server 1102 can provide the identified one or more skills 1122 tothe skill agent 1120 and the skill agent 1120 can determine at least onedigital assistant 1112, 1142 to perform or execute the one or moreskills 1122. In some embodiments, the skill agent 1120 can determine asingle digital assistant 1112, 1142 to perform or execute the one ormore skills 1122. In some embodiments, the skill agent 1120 candetermine multiple digital assistants 1112, 1142 to perform or executethe one or more skills 1122. For example, the server 1102 can selectamong the multiple digital assistants 1112, 1142 to perform or executethe one or more skills 1122. In some embodiments, the skill agent 1120can include a database having the plurality of skills 1122 associatedwith or linked with digital assistants 1112, 1142. For example, eachskill 1122 of the plurality of skills 1122 can be associated with orlinked with at least one digital assistant 1112, 1142 that can performor execute the respective skill 1122. The skill agent 1122 can receivedthe identified one or more skills 1122 corresponding to the request 1136and identify the skills 1122 in the database. The skill agent 1122 candetermine one or more digital assistants 1112, 1142 linked with theidentified one or more skills 1122 in the database and provide the oneor more digital assistants 1112, 1142 as an output.

Referring now to operation (1240), and in some embodiments, a requestcan be provided to the assistant. In embodiments, the server 1102 cantransmit or provide the request 1136 to the identified digital assistant1112, 1142. The server 1102 can request the first digital assistant1112, 1142 to perform the identified one or more skills 1122. Forexample, the server 1102 can transmit a command or instruction to thedigital assistant 1112, 1142 to perform or execute the one or moreskills 1122 to generate or retrieve the requested content 1114 includedwithin the request 1136. In some embodiments, the server 1102 cantransmit or provide the request 1136 to multiple identified digitalassistant 1112, 1142. The server 1102 can request that each of themultiple digital assistants 1112, 1142 perform the identified one ormore skills 1122. For example, the server 1102 can transmit a command orinstruction to each of the multiple digital assistants 1112, 1142 toperform or execute the one or more skills 1122 to generate or retrievethe requested content 1114 included within the request 1136.

In some embodiments, the server 1102 can broker or proxy a session 1160or connection to a remote server 1140 for a third party digitalassistant 1142 to perform the identified one or more skills 1122. Forexample, the server 1102 can establish a session 1160 or connection toat least one remote server 1140 of the plurality of remote servers 1140.The server 1102 can proxy the request 1136 to at least one third partydigital assistant 1142 of the at least one remote server 1140 of theplurality of remote servers 1140 to perform the identified one or moreskills 1122 included within or correspond to the request 1136. Inembodiments, the server 1102 can proxy the request 1136 to the thirdparty digital assistant 1142 for the device 1130 such that the device1130 does not need to separately interact with the third party digitalassistant 1142 and/or the remote server 1140 providing the third partydigital assistant 1142.

Referring now to operation (1245), and in some embodiments, theassistant can generate content. The first digital assistant 1112, 1142can generate or retrieve content 1114 corresponding to the request 1136.In some embodiments, the first digital assistant 1112, 1142 can generateor retrieve content 1114 corresponding to the request 1136 responsive toa command or instruction from the server 1102. In embodiments, multiple(e.g., two or more) digital assistants 1112, 1142 can generate orretrieve content 1114 corresponding to the request 1136. The server 1102can instruct the multiple (e.g., two or more) digital assistants 1112,1142 to generate or retrieve the same content 1114 corresponding to therequest 1136. The server 1102 can instruct the multiple (e.g., two ormore) digital assistants 1112, 1142 to generate or retrieve differentcontent 1114 corresponding to the request 1136. For example, the request1136 may include multiple portions of content 1114 from differentcontent categories. The server 1102 can instruct a first digitalassistant 1112, 1142 to generate a first portion of the content 1114.The server 1102 can instruct a second digital assistant 1112, 1142 togenerate a second portion of the content 1114. The server 1102 caninstruct a third digital assistant 1112, 1142 to generate a thirdportion of the content 1114. The first digital assistant 1112, 1142,second digital assistant 1112, 1142, and the third digital assistant1112, 1142 can be provided by different devices 1130 and/or differentremote servers 1140. In some embodiments, the first digital assistant1112, 1142, second digital assistant 1112, 1142, and the third digitalassistant 1112, 1142 can be provided by the same device 1130 or sameremote server 1140. The number of portions of content 1114 can varybased at least in part on the properties of the request 1136.

Referring now to operation (1250), and in some embodiments, content canbe provided to a server. The digital assistant 1112, 1142 can providethe generated or retrieved content 1114 to the server 1102. For example,the digital assistant 1112, 1142 can transmit the generated or retrievedcontent 1114 through a session 1160 or connection to the server 1102. Inembodiments, multiple digital assistants 1112, 1142 can provide thegenerated or retrieved content 1114 to the server through one or moresessions 1160 or connections to the server 1102. In some embodiments, afirst digital assistant 1112, 1142 can provide a first portion of thecontent 1114 to the server 1102. A second digital assistant 1112, 1142can provide a second portion of the content 1114 to the server 1102. Athird digital assistant 1112, 1142 can provide a third portion of thecontent 1114 to the server 1102.

Referring now to operation (1255), and in some embodiments, adetermination can be made if the request is complete. The server 1102can determine if all of the requested content 1114 has been generated orretrieved. For example, the server 1102 can compare the generated orretrieved content 1114 to the request 1136. If all of the requestedcontent 1114 identified in the request 1136 has been provided to theserver 1102, the server 1102 can determine the request 1136 is completeand can provide the content 1114 to the device 1130 that transmitted therequest 1136. If all of the requested content 1114 identified in therequest 1136 has not been provided to the server 1102, the server 1102can determine the request 1136 is not complete.

Referring now to operation (1260), and in some embodiments, if therequest is not complete, the missing content can be determined. Forexample, the server 1102 can compare the received content 1114 to therequested content 1114 identified in the request 1136. Responsive to thecomparison, the server 1102 can determine the portions of the content1114 not yet generated or retrieved. skills can be determined for arequest. In some embodiments, the server can determine the receivedcontent 1114 is incorrect. Referring now to operation (1265), and insome embodiments, the method 1200 can return to operation 1230. Forexample, the server 1102 can determine the one or more skills 1122needed to generate or retrieve the missing content 1114 or portions ofthe content 1114. The server 1102 can continually use the skill agent1120 to identify one or more skills 1122 and one or more digitalassistants 1112, 1142 until the request 1136 is complete.

Referring now to operation (1270), and in some embodiments, if therequest is complete, a response can be generated. In embodiments, theserver 1102 can generate a response to the request 1136 to the user ofthe device 1130. The response can include the content 1114 generated orretrieved responsive to the first digital assistant 1112, 1142performing the identified one or more skills 1122. In some embodiments,the response can include multiple portions of content 1114 generated orretrieved responsive to multiple digital assistants 1112, 1142performing the identified one or more skills 1122. The server 1102 canprovide the response to the device 1130 through the session 1160established to the device 1130. In some embodiments, the server 1102 canprovide the response and content 1114 to the client application 1132executing within the browser 1134 of the device 1130. For example, theclient application 1132 can provide or present the content 1114 to theuser of the device 1130 through the browser 1134 of the device 1130.

Referring now to operation (1275), and in some embodiments, the contentcan be tracked. In embodiments, the server 1102 can include a contentmonitor 1118. The content monitor 1118 can track and monitor variousproperties of the digital assistants 1112, 1142 regarding generating orretrieving content 1114 for one or more requests 1136. For example, thecontent monitor 1118 can track the content 1114 generated by eachdigital assistant 1112, 1142 of the plurality of digital assistants1112, 1142. In embodiments, the content monitor 1118 can track and logwhat content 1114 each digital assistant 1112, 1142. The content monitor1118 can track and log the types of content 1114 each digital assistant1112, 1142, such as but not limited to, content categories and/orcontent classifications. The content monitor 1118 can track and logwhich requests 1136 the digital assistants 1112, 1142 were used toaddress or respond to. In embodiments, the content monitor 1118 cantrack and monitor the one or more skills 1122 each of the digitalassistants 1112, 1142 performed or executed to generate or retrievecontent 1114 for a request 1136. The content monitor 1118 can store andmaintain the tracking data in the memory 1106 of the server 1102. Forexample, the server 1102 using the content monitor 1118 can generate acontent profile for each digital assistant 1112, 1142 of the pluralityof digital assistants 1112, 1142. The content profile can includeincluding properties of the content 1114 generated by the digitalassistant 1112 provided by the server 1102 or device 1130 and the one ormore third party digital assistants 1142 provided by a plurality ofremote servers 1140. The content profile can include the type of content1114, the content categories, content classifications and/or the one ormore skills 1122 performed by the respective digital assistants 1112,1142 to generate or retrieve content 1114.

Referring now to operation (1280), and in some embodiments, a weightedscore can be generated. In embodiments, the server 1102 can generate aweighted score 1124 for the digital assistant 1112 provided by theserver 1102 or device 1130 and the one or more third party digitalassistants 1142 provided by the plurality of remote servers 1140responsive to the digital assistant 1112 provided by the server 1102 ordevice 1130 or the one or more third party digital assistants 1142provided by the plurality of remote servers 1140 generating content1114. For example, the server 1102 can generate weighted scores 1124 foreach digital assistant 1112, 1142 included within the skill agent 1120.The weighted score 1124 can correspond to or indicate an accuracy of therespective digital assistant 1112, 1142 in performing one or more skills1122 to generate content 1114. For example, the digital assistants 1112,1142 can be assigned a first weighted score 1124 for content 1114 thatis correct. Digital assistants 1112, 1142 can be assigned a secondweighted score 1124 for content 1114 that is partially correct. Forexample, in some embodiments, if a request 1136 includes content 1114that includes multiple components or portions. The content 1114 can bepartially correct when one or more components or portions are correctand one or more components or portions are incorrect. Digital assistants1112, 1142 can be assigned a third weight score 1124 for content 1114that is incorrect. In some embodiments, the server 1102 can generate theweighted scores 1124 determined using a machine learning algorithmtrained on a set of previous requests 1136 and content 1114.

Referring now to operation (1285), and in some embodiments, the skillagent can be updated. In embodiments, the server 1102 can update theskill agent 1120 using the content tracking data from the contentmonitor 1118 and/or the weighted scores 1124. For example, the skillagent 1120 can include the plurality of digital assistants 1112, 1142.The skill agent 1120 can organize the digital assistants 1112, 1142based in part on the one or more skills 1122 the respective digitalassistants 1112, 1142 perform. In some embodiments, the skill agent 1120can organize the digital assistants 1112, 1142 based in part on thecontent 1114, type of content 1114, and/or content categories therespective digital assistants 1112, 1142 generate or retrieve. With eachgrouping of digital assistants 1112, 1142, the digital assistants 1112,1142 can be ranked based in part on a weighted score assigned to therespective digital assistants 1112, 1142. For example, the digitalassistants 1112, 1142 can be ranked in ascending order or descendingorder based in part on a weighted score assigned to the respectivedigital assistants 1112, 1142. The server 1102 can update one or moreweighted scores 1124 responsive to one or more digital assistants 1112,1142 performing one or more skills 1122 to generate or retrieve content1114 for a request 1136. In embodiments, the server 1102 can dynamicallyupdate one or more weighted scores 1124 responsive to one or moredigital assistants 1112, 1142 performing one or more skills 1122 togenerate or retrieve content 1114 for a request 1136. For example, theserver 1102 can dynamically update the skill agent 1120 with one or moreweighted scores 1124 responsive to the execution of each request 1136 ofa plurality of requests 1136 executed by the digital assistant 1112provided by the server 1102 or device 1130 or the one or more thirdparty digital assistants 1142 provided by the plurality of remoteservers 1140.

In one embodiment, the server 1102 can update the skill agent 1120 toindicate that the first digital assistant 1112, 1142 generated thecontent 1114 for the request 1136. The update can include a firstweighted score 1124 for the first digital assistant 1112, 1142indicating if the first digital assistant 1112, 1142 generated thecorrect content 1114 or a second weighted score 1124 indicating thefirst digital assistant 1112, 1142 generated incorrect content 1114. Theserver 1102 can update the skill agent 1120 to indicate that a firstdigital assistant 1112, 1142 generated a first portion of the content1114 for the request 1136, a second digital assistant 1112, 1142generated a second portion of the content 1114 for the request 1136, anda third digital assistant 1112, 1142 generated a third portion of thecontent 1114 for the request 1136. The server 1102 can update theweighted scores 1124 for each of the first digital assistant 1112, 1142,second digital assistant 1112, 1142, and/or third digital assistant1112, 1142 responsive to the digital assistants 1112, 1142 generatingthe respective portions of the content 1114. In some embodiments, theserver 1102 can increase the weighted score 1124 for the digitalassistant 1112, 1142 responsive to the digital assistants 1112, 1142generating the correct content 1114 or correct portions of the content1114. In some embodiments, the server 1102 can decrease the weightedscore 1124 for the digital assistant 1112, 1142 responsive to thedigital assistants 1112, 1142 generating the incorrect content 1114 orincorrect portions of the content 1114.

In embodiments, the server 1102 can select or determine, using the skillagent 1120, the at least one of the digital assistant 1112 provided bythe server 1102 or device 1130 and the one or more third party digitalassistants 1142 provided by the plurality of remote servers 1140 tohandle subsequent requests 1136 based on the one or more weighted scores1124. For example, the server 1102 can provide the identified skills1122 for a particular request 1136 to the skill agent 1120. The skillagent 1120 can determine one or more digital assistants 1112, 1142 toperform or execute the identified skills 1122. In one embodiment, theskill agent 1120 can identify two or more digital assistants 1112, 1142to retrieve sports scores from the plurality of digital assistants 1112,1142. The two or more digital assistants 1112, 1142 can be ranked basedin part by weighted score 1124 within the skill agent 1120. The server1102 can select the digital assistant 1112, 1142 from the two or moredigital assistants 1142 having the highest or greatest weighted score1124. Thus, as the digital assistants 1112, 1142 are used to generate orretrieve content 1114 their respective weighted score 1124 can bemodified to indicate an accuracy of the content 1114 the respectivedigital assistant 1112, 1142 generates.

It should be understood that the systems described above may providemultiple ones of any or each of those components and these componentsmay be provided on either a standalone machine or, in some embodiments,on multiple machines in a distributed system. The systems and methodsdescribed above may be implemented as a method, apparatus or article ofmanufacture using programming and/or engineering techniques to producesoftware, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof. In addition,the systems and methods described above may be provided as one or morecomputer-readable programs embodied on or in one or more articles ofmanufacture. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass code or logic accessible from and embedded in oneor more computer-readable devices, firmware, programmable logic, memorydevices (e.g., EEPROMs, ROMs, PROMs, RAMs, SRAMs, etc.), hardware (e.g.,integrated circuit chip, Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA),Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), etc.), electronicdevices, a computer readable non-volatile storage unit (e.g., CD-ROM,USB Flash memory, hard disk drive, etc.). The article of manufacture maybe accessible from a file server providing access to thecomputer-readable programs via a network transmission line, wirelesstransmission media, signals propagating through space, radio waves,infrared signals, etc. The article of manufacture may be a flash memorycard or a magnetic tape. The article of manufacture includes hardwarelogic as well as software or programmable code embedded in a computerreadable medium that is executed by a processor. In general, thecomputer-readable programs may be implemented in any programminglanguage, such as LISP, PERL, C, C++, C#, PROLOG, or in any byte codelanguage such as JAVA. The software programs may be stored on or in oneor more articles of manufacture as object code.

While various embodiments of the methods and systems have beendescribed, these embodiments are illustrative and in no way limit thescope of the described methods or systems. Those having skill in therelevant art can effect changes to form and details of the describedmethods and systems without departing from the broadest scope of thedescribed methods and systems. Thus, the scope of the methods andsystems described herein should not be limited by any of theillustrative embodiments and should be defined in accordance with theaccompanying claims and their equivalents.

1. A method for aggregating a plurality of skills provided by aplurality of digital assistants, the method comprising: (a) generating,by a server, a skill agent comprising a plurality of skillscorresponding to skills performed by a plurality of digital assistants,the skill agent including at least one skill from a digital assistantprovided by the server and one or more skills provided by one or morethird party digital assistants provided by a plurality of remoteservers; (b) receiving, by the server, from a device, a request forcontent for a user of the device; (c) identifying, by the server, one ormore skills to generate the content included within the request; (d)selecting, by the server using the skill agent, a first digitalassistant provided by the server and a second digital assistant providedby at least one remote server of the plurality of digital assistants tohandle the request based on the identified one or more skills togenerate the content, the server requesting the first digital assistantand the second digital assistant to perform the identified one or moreskills; and (e) providing, by the server, a response to the request tothe user of the device, the response aggregating the content from thefirst digital assistant and the second digital assistant and generatedresponsive to the first digital assistant and the second digitalassistant performing the identified one or more skills.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein (e) further comprises: tracking the content generatedby the first digital assistant; and updating the skill agent to indicatethe first digital assistant of the plurality of assistants thatgenerated the content.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:generating a weighted score for the digital assistant provided by theserver and the one or more third party digital assistants provided bythe plurality of remote servers responsive to the digital assistantprovided by the server or the one or more third party digital assistantsprovided by the plurality of remote servers generating content.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein (e) further comprises: dynamically updatingthe skill agent with one or more weighted scores responsive to theexecution of each request of a plurality of requests executed by thedigital assistant provided by the server or the one or more third partydigital assistants provided by the plurality of remote servers.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, further comprising: selecting, by the server andusing the skill agent, the at least one of the digital assistantprovided by the server and the one or more third party digitalassistants provided by the plurality of remote servers to handlesubsequent requests based on the one or more weighted scores.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein (d) further comprises: establishing, by theserver, a connection to at least one remote server of the plurality ofremote servers; and proxying, by the server, the request to at least onethird party digital assistant of the at least one remote server of theplurality of remote servers to perform the identified one or more skillsincluded within the request.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining, by the server, a type of content generated bythe digital assistant provided by the server and the one or more thirdparty digital assistants provided by a plurality of remote servers. 8.The method of claim 7, further comprising: grouping, by the server andin the skill agent, the digital assistant provided by the server and theone or more third party digital assistants provided by a plurality ofremote servers into content groups based on the determined type ofcontent.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining, bythe server, the skills performed by the one or more third party digitalassistants provided by a plurality of remote servers; and aggregating,by the server and using the skill agent, the skills performed by the oneor more third party digital assistants provided by a plurality of remoteservers for at least one desktop session hosted by the device through anclient application.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:identifying, by the server, a user profile corresponding to the user ofthe device; and determining, by the server, the one or more third partydigital assistants provided by the plurality of remote servers based onuser profile and the one or more third party digital assistants providedby the plurality of remote servers that the user previously interactedwith through the device.
 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:generating, by the server, a content profile for each digital assistantof the plurality of digital assistants, the content profile includingproperties of the content generated by the digital assistant provided bythe server and the one or more third party digital assistants providedby a plurality of remote servers.
 12. A system for generatingaggregating a plurality of skills provided by a plurality of assistants,the system comprising: a server comprising one or more processorscoupled to a memory, the server configured to: generate a skill agentcomprising a plurality of skills corresponding to skills performed by aplurality of digital assistants, the skill agent including at least oneskill from a digital assistant provided by the server and one or moreskills provided by one or more third party digital assistants providedby a plurality of remote servers; receive from a device, a request forcontent for a user of the device; identify one or more skills togenerate the content included within the request; select, using theskill agent, a first digital assistant provided by the server and asecond digital assistant provided by at least one remote server of theplurality of digital assistants to handle the request based on theidentified one or more skills to generate the content, the serverrequesting the first digital assistant and the second digital assistantto perform the identified one or more skills; and provide a response tothe request to the user of the device, the response aggregating thecontent from the first digital assistant and the second digitalassistant and generated responsive to the first digital assistant andthe second digital assistant performing the identified one or moreskills.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the server is furtherconfigured to: track the content generated by the first digitalassistant; and update the skill agent to indicate the first digitalassistant of the plurality of assistants that generated the content. 14.The system of claim 12, wherein the server is further configured to:generate a weighted score for the digital assistant provided by theserver and the one or more third party digital assistants provided bythe plurality of remote servers responsive to the digital assistantprovided by the server or the one or more third party digital assistantsprovided by the plurality of remote servers generating content.
 15. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein the server is further configured to:dynamically update the skill agent with one or more weighted scoresresponsive to the execution of each request of a plurality of requestsexecuted by the digital assistant provided by the server or the one ormore third party digital assistants provided by the plurality of remoteservers.
 16. The system of claim 12, wherein the server is furtherconfigured to: select, using the skill agent, the at least one of thedigital assistant provided by the server and the one or more third partydigital assistants provided by the plurality of remote servers to handlesubsequent requests based on the one or more weighted scores.
 17. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein the server is further configured to:establish a connection to at least one remote server of the plurality ofremote servers; and proxy the request to at least one third partydigital assistant of the at least one remote server of the plurality ofremote servers to perform the identified one or more skills includedwithin the request.
 18. The system of claim 12, wherein the server isfurther configured to: determine a type of content generated by thedigital assistant provided by the server and the one or more third partydigital assistants provided by a plurality of remote servers.
 19. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein the server is further configured to: group,in the skill agent, the digital assistant provided by the server and theone or more third party digital assistants provided by a plurality ofremote servers into content groups based on the determined type ofcontent.
 20. The system of claim 12, wherein the server is furtherconfigured to: determine the skills performed by the one or more thirdparty digital assistants provided by a plurality of remote servers; andaggregate, using the skill agent, the skills performed by the one ormore third party digital assistants provided by a plurality of remoteservers for at least one desktop session hosted by the device through anclient application.
 21. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving, by the server, from a client application on the device, therequest for content, wherein the client application includes an embeddedbrowser to access the skill agent.
 22. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: providing, by the server through an embedded browser of aclient application on the device, the response to the request to theuser of the device.